Craven Faults - Yard Loup (The Leaf Label) [Electronic Music]

The legend of Craven Faults continues. Hunkered down in an old textile mill up in the north of England surrounded by vintage synthesisers and electronic music making machines, he wanders aimlessly, mostly by night and inclement days, across Yorkshire soaking up the post-industrial landscape and weather beaten landscape, then articulates what only he's witnessed - everyone else has long since stopped caring, or is blinkered by their phone gazing addiction, into long form, fittingly vintage electronic music. One day we will likely know his name, but today is not that day.

I can't lie I also blow hot and cold with his work. There's no denying the quality, craft and dedication, but some throwback vibes or the odd consummately crafted homage to electronic music past aside, I tend to more forward looking, present day and esoteric electronica. Saying that, because he's a boss, I'm also compelled to check everything he releases and so I did, somewhat cursorily, when his new album dropped in January on the ever great The Leaf Label, if only to confirm my suspicions that it was another beautifully crafted, this time rather too vintage soundtrack sounding release. But thanks to a tip, I revisited it and discovered the overlooked, immersive joys of "Yard Loup", and here I am.

It's a rare short form track from our man in the mill, clocking in at three minutes and twenty two seconds, almost an album interlude by his standards, but somehow he manages to condense his usual long form audio narration into a short story that covers a lot of ground, without short changing the listener..

From what I understand it was created using the MU Format Modular Synthesiser, again surprisingly restrained considering the album gear list which is.... long. Freed from the tyranny of choice he cracks on with creation, the modular hearbeat starting to pulse immediately - faint at first but strengthening quickly, cementing the tracks hypnotic intensions. Hypnotic state achieved in record time, knobs are tweaked to inject some chopped and screwed acid nostalgia as a cosmically inclined organ teases dimensions that we so often sense and sadly can't reach but hold tight, even in this short space there is still time for a synth duet to round things off, and seal the cosmic deal. Come for "Yard Loup" and make sure you stay and check the album; as you always should with a Craven Faults release.

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Playlist Companion

Find Craven Faults in the Slowtronic Playlist.