In a world where visuals are everywhere, photography has been devalued by Facebook and Instagram and music has been devalued by the iPod generation, free streaming and greedy major labels favouring quick cash over artistic integrity, releases like this really do stand out.
While marvelling at the exquisite presentation of the 6†square slipcase, almost half a centimetre deep, with its cutout front (which facilitates changing the cover according to the ordering of the box’s contents) and minimalist text, and the stunning images of the interior of a derelict hotel, I did, much to my shame, find myself contemplating the question, ‘how the fuck am I going to store this?’
With the Ephraim Wegner’s soundtrack to Julia Weinman’s crisp, stark images of deterioration filtering into my ears, I stopped thinking almost completely. It begins as a low rumble, like the wind when heard from a mountain top, or a train approaching from a distance. Low hums, drones and indeterminate space-filling sounds, favouring the lower frequencies provide the basis for the six minimalist ambient pieces which serve as the perfect backdrop to the desolate scenes of slow decay.
I’ve still no idea how I’m going to store it, though.
Christopher Nosnibor