Inventions – Inventions

Inventions is the first collaboration between Explosions in the Sky guitarist Mark Smith and ambient aficionado Matthew Cooper, more commonly known as Eluvium. Those familiar with the labelmates' respective back catalogues probably won't be surprised to find that the resulting music ultimately arrives at the midway point between both bands – the guitar sound in particular will be instantly recognisable to fans of EITS.

 

The LP constantly blankets celestial calm with shimmering post-rock melodies. For some, the partnership will be a match made in heaven, but what we're presented with here is ultimately underwhelming because it constantly refers to past glories instead of taking its own confident route. The music here is undeniably gorgeous, but safely so; Entity sounds like it was purpose-built to be snapped up by a mobile phone company for use in their advertisements.

 

Still, it's refreshing to hear the duo's pedigrees complimenting each other on tracks like Flood Poems and Psychic Automation. Those who adjust their expectations accordingly will find plenty to like here, so long as they aren't expecting a major sonic overhaul.