Through a number of musical projects, both solo and collaborative, Mark Nelson has been behind some of the most movingly melancholic and beautifully bleak sounds released in the past two decades. From his work with Robert Donne and Carter Brown in seminal ambient-rock band Labradford to his recent foray into aural austerity with Labradford-mate Donne and Steven Hess (drummer with Locrian, Fennesz, Haptic, On, and others) in Anjou to his solo work as Pan•American, Nelson's sonic signature resonates with immense presence and fleeting agility.
Depending on the Pan•American LP, Nelson shifts from noirish, ambient dub to jazzy, minimal techno while maintaining a mesmerizing sense of patience and intimacy throughout. With Rue Corridor, the latest Pan•American EP and the second part of Geographic North's Sketch for Winter series, Nelson retreats even further into the hazy, pitch-black realms he's flirted with in past recordings.
Opener "The Terrace" is an extended foray into glitching, slurring ambiance. The track opens in a simmering drift of frayed blips and inverted melodies. A mirrored narrative unfurls itself as deep outwardly as inwardly, and motion both accelerates and comes to a complete halt. Muted and mutilated drones gradually fill the space as clipped cymbal ticks clutter the walls. Consumed by pleasant paranoia and reassuring restlessness, the piece hovers through the air weighted with a narcotic hum present in all things.
The eponymous track roils in a mechanical suite of malfunctioned arpeggiations, spiraling outwardly in a glowing, pointillistic din. Nelson blankets the bleary-eyed symphony with just enough light to entice curious onlookers, attracting perilous tones to an exquisite demise. "Pasqual" is the resolved closer, bowing out of the droning desolation with a hint of hope and ember-like glimmer of warmth. Waves of subtly distorted noise wash over space, encompassing everything in their wake.
supported by 25 fans who also own “Sketch for Winter II: Rue Corridor”
The Sails is a sonic journey that takes the listener from the familiar to the alien and keeps your foot tapping the whole way. Rhythm is driven by layers of bass, synths and samples often without a drum track.
Give Still a listen, a glorious riot to take your ears on an adventure. Also, who else is writing 9 minutes long tracks any more?
@mohlers pick for best of 22 Album Club
Post-rock musician and World Within Worlds label head Lachlan R. Dale returns with his debut full-length, a suite of ambient explorations. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 27, 2024
supported by 24 fans who also own “Sketch for Winter II: Rue Corridor”
Fantastic collection of music from loscil. Love how Never opens in such a contemplative mood and then goes somewhere else when the rhythmic sounds kick in. Check out Scott talking about the piece Never and the two Sails albums in this one-hour special on CKCU-FM.
https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/107/58793.html
Hit Listen Now to hear the audio. Joe Reilly