Michael Valentine West :: Stillness Is A Virtue EP (Subcontinental)

This aptly-titled EP evenly merges atmospheric soundscapes with translucent drones that cycle, swirl, shift, and transport the listener with ease.

Effervescent data streams of dust and debris

Extended drones have taken over the landscape. The light that once shined through is now reduced to a mere flash, a flicker in the mist. The gravitational ebb and flow of these sounds are tucked away just beneath shuffling static, subdued piano keys, drifting bells, and effervescent data streams of dust and debris. Michael Valentine West follows through with five audible slices on Stillness Is A Virtue. Traversing darker corridors where all that is left is a shadow, traces of subtle noises, and a mysterious audible glow that is difficult to pin down. Each piece loses itself in a myriad of metallic, almost Subotnick-like electronic compositions stretched to their ultimate limits with an organic backbone. MVW’s musical oeuvre (lately) has been that of sheer desolation—grasping at sound sculptures that are light years away only to be eventually stripped down to their raw sonic elements. This aptly-titled EP evenly merges atmospheric soundscapes with translucent drones that cycle, swirl, shift, and transport the listener with ease.

Stillness Is A Virtue is available on Subcontinental. [Bandcamp]