This is RC068 and RC069, a split 12" LP edition of 100
Despite being little more than six months old the Spartan immediacy of The Sly and Unseen’s slender catalogue has already caused a splash in the ponds of such taste arbitrating luminaries as Home Normal Records, Crow Verses Crow and Stuart Maconie’s freak zone.
Unsurprising, perhaps, as they combine the widely lauded talents of Katie English (littlebow, Doomed Birds Of Providence, The Owl Service and many others, alongside her solo mainstay Isnaj Dui) and stepping ‘in front of the camera’ Hibernate Records head man Jonathan Lees, lending The Sly And Unseen a track record of genuine musical depth and achievement.
Utilising a battery of more-or-less eccentric acoustic instruments with just a soupcon of effect pedal the template sound of this Halifax based outfit is bare, raw and refreshing. An underlying shruti box supports a cast of mandolins, cellos, glockenspiels, guitars and more. But the coup that they pull off, track after track, is to only deploy the absolute minimum of necessary instruments, creating a breezy and spacious musical world, reminiscent of the moorlands above their hometown, containing both up-tempo lights (‘Seeking Warmth In Our Cold Climes’) and drowsy shadows (‘Faded, Out Of Place’) and fashioning what can only be described as Melodic-Drone. The Sly And Unseen also construct a cliché destroying‘Anti-Field recording’ environment wherein ‘bird calls’ and other ambient sounds are sourced from warped human voices and mechanical toys (the mechanical, percussive ‘pigeon’ in ‘Slumming It Here With Our Common Pigeons’being simultaneously sinister and comedic). Located somewhere in the land of the Penguin Café Orchestra but entirely shorn of tweeness and fully updated for the current decade, these atmospheric, unlaboured, highly intuitive musical compositions create truly essential listening.
Complementing and offsetting The Sly And Unseen’s gentle extroversion are the contemplative structures and inward-looking songs of Caught In The Wake Forever’s Fraser McGowan. Under his solo guise, McGowan has honed his trade mark melancholic sounds and concerns through a plethora of EPs and collaborations and has also released three albums to date, all of which explore listener challenging hyper-personal themes and subjects.
Having grown frustrated with the sense of repetition and routine inherent in the recording process, ‘Evidence Of Fractures’ sees the Paisley based McGowan resolutely and methodically strip bare his technological resources to reinforce his baring-of-the-soul lyricism. Computers are forsaken in favour of simple take analogue improvisation and the stress (both musical and lyrical) is upon breaking old habits, embracing uncertainty and capturing the moment.
The three instrumental tracks were recorded over a two day period and largely improvised using analogue synths and guitar, whereas the songs touch on new ground as well as bringing in the previously unexplored addition of a second vocalist in the form of Donna McInnes.
From the drifting tranquillity of ‘To Wild Flowers Forgotten’ to the downtrodden lounge sensibilities of ‘Erskine’s Greatest’, these densely layered soundscapes provide the listener with tales and moods of fragility.
supported by 10 fans who also own “The Sly and Unseen / Caught in the Wake Forever Split”
Even if he says otherwise, Ian Hawgood is super prolific and incredibly talented in not only his own releases, but in collaborations and with the heart & soul put into the labels he's run over the years.
Saying all that, this is a more recent favorite release of Ian's: peaceful, deceivingly simple (yet not!) piano works that is personal, elegant and graceful in its warmth and presentation. Plus it's for a wonderful cause. Get it!! Joe Borreson
supported by 9 fans who also own “The Sly and Unseen / Caught in the Wake Forever Split”
Awesome foggy weather drive music, album artwork covers mood perfectly. Agree with Stationary Travels review that it is Nils Frahmyish, can really hear details of piano key hits. G Norton
supported by 9 fans who also own “The Sly and Unseen / Caught in the Wake Forever Split”
Goccia, it's mixing faded recollection from the artist's life and strong memories of the listener, shaping these two halves of lives into a unique imaginary beyond comprehension.
Goccia, it's two fragments of reality put together into one dream strongly marked by liturgical features, hinting that the unknown must be a part of our existence to be complete.
Goccia, it's a permanent surprise teaching us that the unexpected can be the most beautiful gift if you welcome it like an old friend. Dotflac
This Chicago (where else?) post-rock group builds wafting atmospheric ambient out of slow drums and a shimmering churn of droning guitars. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 30, 2024
supported by 9 fans who also own “The Sly and Unseen / Caught in the Wake Forever Split”
Warm and evocative, brimming with memory and emotion. Each track is beautifully layered and floats like a soft, warm breeze.
It helped me navigate a challenging end of year into 2024! Thank you! PadraigC