It’s been awhile since I dished out a new music recommendation but this guy has forced my hand. I loved this record from the first listen, but my esteem has only grown for this debut LP from the Liverpool-based producer/artist Matthew Barnes. I had this record on during a workout the other day– I know, not exactly workout tunes but I couldn’t help myself — and I had to stop what I was doing to listen. How many records do you hear each year that force you to stop… and just get lost in the music? One? Maybe two?
Listen to the Forest Swords LP Engravings and you might just add another to that short list. It’s creeping, lush orchestration with accumulating layers of guitar, low-key loops and simple beats. It’s difficult to shoehorn into any particular micro-genre because just when you feel like you can pin down Barnes’ sound he shifts into something new. It’s glorious. Push play. Now.
Here’s Forest Swords: “Thor’s Stone”
Forest Swords – Thor’s Stone from Louis Legge on Vimeo.
Don’t look now but I also just happened to agree with heartily with a Pitchfork album review. *Gasp* Don’t get too used to the idea. I’m sure I’ll throw up some tirade about their obtuse writing style or championing of atonal noise any day now. Just give me the word, Pitchfork.