Review: Glaswegians’ Eclectic Collection Dares Listeners

Four songs in 64 minutes by a mysterious artist and a daring drive into the world of strange and wonderful – that’s what you’ll get with Severance by Glaswegians. Released in April, the album was recorded over a 14 month period and features more than 37 instruments, including glockenspiel, frying pan, castanets, guiro and bongos. This Canadian collection was created in “a tiny apartment that seemed to face the sun every hour of the day. Something about the hot, cramped atmosphere – and angst about an awful landlord – got this music out of me,” the anonymous artist said via email. The horns were recorded in the Vancouver Public Library’s Inspiration Lab and in the artist’s mother’s music room in Prince George, B.C.  This is Glaswegians’ third album. The four song titles are intriguing but give little indication of what the music sounds like: “Orwellian,” “Brobdingnag,” “Duress” and “Petrichor.”

Described as post rock, progressive rock, avant garde or just experimental, the music defies definition until you hear it yourself. It’s melodic and slightly chaotic at times. The layers of instrumentation were created by one musician, who had a vision and then learned to play the necessary instruments by watching Youtube tutorials.  The album cover is a wasp, which gives an indication of the opening phrases for the first song, but moves into a heavy, epic journey. There’s no getting bored with these tracks. The lengthy twists and turns keep it interesting and fresh with each listen.

“It took months of this music zipping around my head to get every part put into place. The files for the editing and mixing look like a tremendous mess, but it thankfully resulted in something I’m happy with.”

Of all 37 instruments, the bass guitar guides the way and is the artist’s main tool for crafting this particular album.

“There are some moments where the bass lets loose and has melodies in these songs, and it’s something I’ll probably do more in the future.”

To get a better handle on what Severance sounds like, it would help to know it was influenced by “XTC – especially their album Apple Venus Volume 1.” The nod to that nearly 20 year-old album is apparent, minus any vocals. There are no lyrics to get in the way of this music, just as there are little details about the artist who made it.

“I started Glaswegians with the aim of removing the persona of the music – there’s nothing between the listener and the sounds. The result has been a surprise – more people are liking these albums than my previous projects. Glaswegians has since become my main music outlet, but it’s still a secret from most people. Neither my partner and my own twin even know that I’m doing this. I’m really proud of the new songs I’ve been writing though, so I’m considering dropping the anonymity for the next album.”

The artist said the next project may include outside musicians, some electronic influence and possibly turn it into a full band project. 

(Check out ‘Severance below via Bandcamp and get more info about the project on Facebook HERE.)

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