Lawrence English – Wilderness of Mirrors

A series of abstruse sonic abstractions? Or something, judging by its wholly prescriptive titling, more narratively inclined than that? The latest in a portfolio that encompasses sound installations as well as recorded work, Wilderness of Mirrors is an unwavering and disorienting experience, born of a methodology that erases melody and rhythm, and strips musical expression back to little more than noise.

It seems almost pointless to attempt to distinguish between ‘tracks.’ There is little that separates the stark minimalism of, say, Another Body and Hapless Gatherer. But they fascinate nevertheless. English’s materials are difficult to locate, his sound nigh on impossible to explain. It’s a drone, yet not; a buzzing, keening squall, but possessed of an unfathomable beauty.  Built from almost intangible elements, Wilderness of Mirrors’ aural scree is equal parts harmony and discord. Its inarguable aesthetic makes for a listening experience as unsettling as it is exhilarating. 

Lawrence English - Wilderness Of Mirrors from ROOM40 on Vimeo.