quaternary – glaswegians
Release Date: March 11th, 2022
Track Listing:
1. pavilion
2. motavia
3. handedness
4. zugzwang
glaswegians is the solo instrumental project of Michael Elder, based out of Vancouver. quaternary was written over several years from 2017-2020, and mostly recorded from his home during the pandemic. This is a follow-up release to 2017’s severance, which also featured lengthy tracks.
Despite being only four tracks, this album is a hefty hour and two minutes long. By nature, it is not necessarily an easy listen. There are no lyrics or vocals to be found, and there are literally dozens of instruments used to create an entire symphony. Throughout there are all sorts of complex, varied time signatures – entire songs hidden within each section.
Almost fifty(!) instruments were used in the final recording, ranging from electric guitar, piano and drums, to orchestral sounds like the cello and harpsichord, to the more obscure euphonium, omnichord, and Akai EWI 5000. I’m mind blown that all of them were played by one person – Michael himself. Aside from additional drum production by Jordan Elder and mastering by Angel Marcloid, this entire album was a solo endeavor. glaswegians is a project that could easily be the work of twenty people, all done by a single individual.
“pavilion” is a light track with a heavy psychedelic sound. It’s very cheerful all around; I could see it being played by Electric Light Orchestra, especially the ending. Sections of it sounded like Rush or Pink Floyd – indeed, the primary influence for this EP was 70s prog artists like Mike Oldfield, King Crimson, and Camel. There’s a rising sound throughout; it takes a while to get to the climax, but when it hits, it leaves an impression of the sheer magnitude that is to come.
“motavia” is still quite upbeat, though not as much as the previous song. The middle features a lot of minimalist, slow piano work. It would not be out of place in a classical music hall. Some of it even sounds like a lullaby, something soothing to drift off to. I felt relaxed and inspired after finishing it. "motavia” is a song to get oneself focused; a mood lifter during hard times. It would also fit right in with many video games, grinding another level or finishing that quest.
“handedness” has an old-timey feel. I could see some of this being played in an old Disney film, or scoring a quirky black and white French film. Despite the old-fashioned angle, it has a timeless, universal approach. Later parts could be used in a sample or riff for a totally different genre as rap or EDM beats. The ending is in contrast to the middle: almost maximalist with a powerful, booming finish. Truly an epic conclusion, like something you’d hear as the final notes at a concert.
We close with the most cosmic and strange of the tracks. “zugzwang” is extremely fast for most of its runtime. It really feels like listening to a jazz band jam – so many moments that make this being the work of one person remarkable. There’s a lot of passion and funk present, particularly in the last five minutes. One could be forgiven for feeling as if they’re in some kind of sci-fi movie, flying across space with Sun Ra.
Having listened to this album several times, I was able to find new things to enjoy every run through. There’s so much going on; the ambience and sheer craft means you’ll love listening to it twice, thrice, or ten times. I can’t say I listen to hour-long symphonic instrumentals on a regular basis, but quaternary helped me appreciate the stylistic approach. It’s an awe-inspiring, ambitious EP clearly made with love and care. It took several years to create, but the end results are well worth it.
