Rooted in a sense of place, “Here” is the new EP from Oregon-based British artist Sam Ashton, AKA Fortresses. On the surface, the two pieces presented here seem like relaxing sonic soundscapes that fold in angelic delays, droning textures, and field recordings of birdsong, but this is not merely music for contemplative, hushed moments. Ashton walls his abstract arrangements in harsher tones on the title track, yet these walls are like those found in a maze rather than a room, appearing and disappearing without you noticing, like auditory sleights of hand that give structure to the roaming elements.
“Am” continues in this vein, with sporadic bass strikes caging in ethereal vocalises and flutters of tape hiss. An undulating composition sees brief celloesque sounds and gentler elements merge into a piece that draws the listener in and out of its intoxicating world, delivering a sensation akin to falling in and out of sleep and getting confused between what is real and what is a dream. Whether or not the intention was to form a lucid or hazy space for the listener to occupy, there is a metaphysical space to get lost in, and one that is ultimately very beautiful.
“Here” is out today on rohs! Records.
Fortresses on Instagram
★★★★★
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