“Fraught devotion and uneasy peace; questing yet languorous; forever rapt and untethered.“
When an experimental musician dedicates themselves to one instrument, it’s not often an electronic one. There’s no storied history or virtuoso to follow when an instrument was invented within our lifetimes. ‘Fully’ analogue electronics does have a particular allure in the tinkerer’s mind. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the modern ambient scene becoming oversaturated with those who shun digital audio workstations, in favour of middling loop-slush bereft of compositional intrigue. Enter an antidote, Justin Walter, a Kranky records musician whose instrument of choice is the EVI – Electronic Valve Instrument – an obscure union of synthesizer and wind instrument. Destroyer is his third record dedicated to this curio, a carefully curated record brimming with memorable compositions.
The EVI makes a unique starting point for Walter’s music. It seems to encourage gentle introductions and slow fades. As one can send its output into any synthesizer, it could sound like just about anything, but the palette on Destroyer focuses on soft and smooth textures. In this way, Walter retains the woodwind nature of the source without trying to mimic any specific instrument. Amongst the EVI textures there’s also a restored pump organ at play. This has seemingly pulled Walter towards a ‘pad’-like sound in order to compliment the organ with the EVI. Another key part of Walter’s arsenal are his appreciated progressions, appearing on most tracks in some form. These underscore the title track “Destroyer” in a gentle fashion. The ominously named track does crank some grittier textures from the EVI, but without hostile intent.
Walter’s attention to songwriting is key to Destroyer’s success. If a track is long, it’s because he’s found a story to tell, something to build up to or drift away from. And if a track is short, it contains one small idea that didn’t need expanding. The longest song “Inner Voices” is also the darkest, a slow burning and mostly formless track that blends together many weeping EVI solos. “Slow Walkers” follows as an apology, coming and going like waves. This ‘slowness’ and restraint is a common theme on Destroyer: less is certainly more. “Radio Contact” is another strong, long track, focusing on a foghorn organ line and a spinning EVI arp whose pace is naturally tempered.
There are many short and sweet tracks. The opener “For Us” starts proceedings in a chaotic manner, ominously hinting at a darkness that doesn’t come until “Inner Voices” near the record’s end. “Transitions” refreshes you with its very humble array of voices. “Fear 17” sounds scary, but in reality it’s Walter flexing just how gently he can play the trumpet for you. “1002” reinterprets a “1001” from earlier in his discography, distilling its essence into just two EVI lines that form a ballad-like progression.
The best track is “New Pads”, starting with an emotionally uncertain passage of drifting woodwind synths. The true intent of the song is its second half, a balm to the prior tension with its achingly beautiful organ melody. The little pauses between each of the three reprises add an essential human element, and it’s such a stunning sound that only a few plucks from the EVI are needed to crown it. It returns a third time with real trumpet whilst the EVI flirts with distortion, just about reaching some amp-crackle to induce goosebumps. “New Pads” is one of those pieces that stops you in mid air, wherever you are hearing it – certainly my favourite ambient track this year.
2017’s Unseen Forces gained Justin Walter some traction, and in the six year since its release, he’s worked hard to build a follow up that contains exactly the sounds and songs it needs. Destroyer is exactly that: eleven understated and beautiful tracks made with a keen ear for composition. There is an essential human quality to the pieces, supported by the EVI and natural moments of silence throughout the album. Walter is just waiting to be discovered by listeners of the modern ambient greats, like Mary Lattimore, Kara-Lis Coverdale, Emily A. Sprague, and Sarah Davachi.
9/10
Destroyer releases 13th October via Kranky, and can be pre-ordered here (US/UK).