Andrew Chalk recently released not one but two full-length solo records on his Faraway Press label. With most of his recent work being collaborations it’s refreshing to get a taste of where he is at with his solo work. As always, the packing is top-notch and features his own artwork and high-quality sleeves. I have always been a fan of his work as a sound and drone artist but on each of these releases we see him developing a more ambient side focusing less on the bowed metals and textures and using a more orchestral approach.
“Higan” features two 17 minute pieces that I would describe as pastoral. Electronic keys ebbing and flowing at a gentle pace sounding somewhat like horns and strings While the title track is a bit deeper and richer “Kanashiki Haibun” takes on a more crystalline feel with higher pitches and odd chirps and warbles now and then, maybe more clarinet and flute influenced than Higan. I would describe this as far more musical than most of his previous, more drone-oriented releases.
Paradise lost flows along the same path as Higan. In fact, I would consider them sister LPs. This Pendant World comprises side one and seems to combine the approach of the two pieces on Higan with more depth and instrumentation adding some bassline keys to go along with the flute and strings but with the same ebbs, flows, and pace and definitely a much more full sounding approach. You can even pick up some faint vocals by Naoko Suzuki. “Paradise Lost” introduces some guitar here and there and some wind and or water effects underneath the electronics and has a bit of a melancholy feel to it as I suppose a piece with that title should have.
Overall I really enjoy both of these LP’s something I would enjoy my coffee with on a Sunday morning or perhaps something to lull me to sleep at night. The more ambient feel of these releases seems like a natural progression of ideas from his past collaborations with Elodie and Timo Van Luijk.
You can pick these up from his Bandcamp page by clicking on the links below or by visiting www.distantimpression.com
