Feb 19, 2018
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Ian William Craig - ‘Slow Vessels’ EP Review
Ian William Craig’s 2016 album, ‘Centres’ was one of my favorite releases of that year and upon release, received widespread acclaim for it’s emotive, singer-songwriter take on ambient-noise, giving structure where tracks would typically go without. The album featured distorted textural compositions, that, in conjunction with Craig’s soft falsetto vocal’s and impressive range, made for a perfect juxtaposition. Still, with all of the noise on ‘Centres’, there was still the beautiful, stripped back, and entirely acoustic ‘Contain (Cedar Version)’, which closed the album.
On ‘Slow Vessels’, we are given what ‘Centres’ left off with; a collection of, not entirely acoustic tracks, but nonetheless stripped back pieces that carry Craig’s operatic voice placing emphasis on it throughout the album’s whole. While it might not be the cathartic piece one might want or come to expect after hearing his last release, it is always nice to hear additional takes, especially if it showcases the existing but lesser touched on aspects of an artist’s works - in this case, being Craig’s ear for subtlety in creating delicate folk music.
If you aren’t familiar with noise, ambient, drone, left-field music, whatever, then this might be a great entry point for those with a burgeoning ear for the otherworldly while still looking for something very accessible.
Ian William Craig | Fatcat Records
Favorite Tracks: ‘The Nearmess’
Least Favorite Tracks: -
For Fans of: Grouper, Jefre-Cantu Ledesma, Belong
Genre: Ambient, Drone, Singer-songwriter, Folk