Vancouver-based ambient artist Loscil, aka Scott Martin, follows up 2015’s heart-wrenching charity release For Greta with Monument Builders, an ambient odyssey that sees Martin plumbing new depths of sensibility and expression. Created during a period when family and friends were affected by life-threatening illness, Monument Builders bears the weight of reflection on mortality, suffused with a strong sense of foreboding and deep time.
Musically, Martin drew inspiration drew inspiration from the 1982 experimental nature film Coyaanisgatsi, specifically from Philip Glass’ soundtrack, which had been warped twisted and distorted of an old VHS copy of the film. This influence comes across clearly throughout this dark, dystopian music, particularly in places such as the title track, where very slight microtonal inflections of sustained triadic material are employed to powerful effect. Elsewhere, Martin’s music is coloured by a rich palette of concrete sounds: boiling kettles, air currents, vintage micro cassette recordings are all skilfully woven into an intricate aural tapestry.
