Label: Discreet Music – 02 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album Country: Sweden Released: 25 Feb 2021 Genre: Electronic, Folk, World, & Country Style: Modern Classical, Ambient, Nordic
Second release from the eponymous label of Gothenburg mega-shop Discreet Music comes via Swedish local Facit (now just Joakim Karlsson operating solo), shredding off the earlier icy minimal wave / synth-pop sound of the past for a varied batch of bare-bones guitar instrumentals.Recorded alone in the serene, tranquil surroundings of Hönö Island (I’m assuming they’re comparatively more serene those of Stockport) in the west coast archipelago outside of Gothenburg, Beach Music feels permeated with the sort of quiet contemplation that one can only achieve when ‘at one’ with nature.The sound palette is bare but Joakim (also responsible for last years chart topping Treasury Of Puppies LP) manages to coax out a vast range of sounds, textures and emotions from his old vantage guitar - moving between scrappy, impressionistic sketches that have a solemn, elegiac quality, to more spritely moments with rhythm and melody.Time was spent absorbing this one over the weekend in the uncharacteristically warm + dry late February weather and it grew on me each time around, recalling that meditative Pierre Jean Croset live record where you’re hanging on for every note, Jon Collin’s more reflective moments, the bare acoustic passages on the holy Mickeranno record, the bare bones Tony Sinden LP on Piano or the string bits of Rimarimba, Derek Bailey, the list goes on - essentially every minimal guitar record I love and revere.Beautifully understated but instantly timeless, highest recommends.. (Mint / New)
Tracklist A1 El-Gitarr 1 A2 Orphan Island A3 Neptuni Åkrar A4 My Love For You Is A Whale A5 Amfibi B1 Dit Ingen Längtar (Dit Ska Jag) B2 Lova Mig Att Du Flyttar B3 Rafael B4 Zodiakens Hjordar B5 Ocean's Lament
