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Shipping from 11th December
Forest Swords' debut album 'Engravings' is back in print on vinyl and CD for the first time in years, newly remastered by Rashad Becker with previously unheard bonus tracks exclusive to this edition.
Created by electronic producer and composer Matthew Barnes, and originally released via Tri Angle Records, 'Engravings' received instant acclaim from the likes of Resident Advisor, Pitchfork, The Guardian and saw Barnes take his hypnotic live show across festivals like Sonar, Glastonbury, Unsound and Le Guess Who.
While much of British electronica is defined by its inner cities, 'Engravings' was recorded in Barnes' hometown on the banks of an ancient river in Merseyside, the album's earthy, organic soundscape reflected the landscape and climate: all silt and sandstone, woodlands and wind, with the ghosts of Liverpool's pop music and clubbing history echoing in the near distance.
The album was a prototype for a sonic vocabulary Barnes has expanded on over the next few years: in critically acclaimed studio albums ('Compassion' and 'Bolted' via Ninja Tune), collaborations with Massive Attack and Neneh Cherry, remixes for the likes of Bjork, as well as commissions for video games, ballet and film scores - of which he has carved a career as an in-demand composer and sound designer.
'Engravings' is a snapshot of an artist confidently defining their own language: a piece of work that distills influences like dub, ambient, rave, post-rock and psychedelia into an ancient-futurist musical vision that feels timeless and vital.
Tracklisting:
Ljoss
Thor's Stone
Irby Tremor
Onward
The Weight of Gold
An Hour
Anneka's Battle
Gathering
The Plumes
Friend, You Will Never Learn
Drumh (Bonus Track - Physical Exclusive)
Fertil (Bonus Track)
“A visionary voice in modern British experimental music” - The New York Times
“Instantly singular - 8.5 Best New Music” - Pitchfork
“Breathtaking” - Resident Advisor
“Has the kind of beauty that sees you playing it, and only it, for the next three weeks” - Observer
"A set of remarkable electronic rituals” - NME