Lorna Irvine reviews 'a beautiful, visceral album'.
Classically trained violinist Tristin Norwell's debut album is astonishing, as tough and breakable as glass. Described as an imaginary soundtrack, it falls somewhere between chamber pop, the ambience of quieter Aphex Twin (Remotely Mobile) and neo-classical soundscapes.
It is beautiful, discomfiting and at times quite uncanny. Title tune ‘Mal Influence’ has a desolate piano and suggests an uninhabited village, perhaps razed to the ground. The layering of textures which endlessly build and fall apart evoke ethereal imagery in the mind's eye.
Expectant shimmers with droning malevolence, building to an almost Oriental crescendo of loveliness. Yet there are moments of respite. Response is reassuring, softer.
A beautiful, visceral album which rewards with each listen.
Mal Influence is released on March 2nd on Cinefonietta.
Tristin Norwell Response Film: http://youtu.be/-qBw964VEIw
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