Bleep

Arguably the most prolific and vital practitioner of ambient music in the 21st century, William Basinski returns with more flayed drones and decaying tones on Lamentations. A striking left turn back to basics from his comparatively jubilant Sparkle Division project in 2020, Lamentations is Basinski pure and simple. The LP is fittingly titled; compositions like ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and ‘O, My Daughter, O, My Sorrow’ possess a glow of ceremonial mourning, their shrouded vocal samples move like shadows through the dense fog of sound. The 11-minute masterpiece ‘All These Too, I, I Love’ skips and pops like a wistful show tune which ardently refuses to start.