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Junk – Eyes Shut EP
Other | Tuesday 10th March 2015 | Christina
Junk presents his debut EP Eyes Shut, released through independent London label squareglass. Utilising both natural and electronic elements to create rich new textures, Junk draws from his classical training and a collection of delicate samples to create lush, swirling atmospherics in this stunning release.
Junk gathered natural soundscapes in and around his hometown of Kendal in the Lake District. Using electronic elements as a frame through which more natural sounds are “poured”, Junk’s attempts to explore the tensions between acoustic and electronic sound are sure to hit the mark in this commendable debut. The original artwork has been created by Ben Hall, an illustrator who also hails from the Lake District. As well as being available digitally, the EP will be sold as a limited vinyl, with the artwork taking the form of a special wood-cut print of a structure often found atop hills in their home region.
The title track ‘Eyes Shut’ perfectly encapsulates Junk’s talent for subtly blending versatile soundscapes to haunting effect. Filled with the hazy vocals of singer Amy Spencer (who forms one half of emerging duo Leiik with squareglass signee Bunki), layered electronics, twinkling keys and subtle saxophone build-ups, it’s a beautiful break from conventional production techniques that has already seen the track featured on the likes of Dots and Dashes and Acid Stag.
Opening with spacey sounds, chirping birds, and celestial male choral samples, ‘Over’ is a rich, downtempo gem woven with Amy’s ethereal vocals and understated beats, and is currently being offered as a free download. The downtempo vibe is further reinforced in the calming instrumental ‘Pace By Pace’, with its woody snares and sensual saxophones, as well as in final track ‘State’, which provides a zen-like conclusion to the EP.
Fellow squareglass signee, Semi Precious, provides a re-working of ‘Pace By Pace’, while Zulu, an established producer with Radio 1 DJ Monki's imprint Zoo Music, remixes ‘Eyes Shut’.
The EP launch takes place at Rye Wax, London on Thursday 12th March.
