Avi C. Engel is a Toronto, Canada based singer-songwriter with a vast number of recordings to their name stretching way back to 2004. I counted 36, including this which is their fourth since the name change last year (all prior work had been put out under Clara Engel). The album according to Avi was recorded “during a spell of sleeplessness and depression, and finished as I was emerging from it. It began as an attempt to soothe my own mind”.
It should be noted that Avi has featured in publications such as The Wire, Dusted Magazine, Louder Than War, Exclaim, Echoes and Dust and several times on Bandcamp New & Notable. Considering the coverage received in such prominent publications, I'm a little flattered to be asked whether I'd be interested in covering Nocturne (Soundtrack for an Invisible Film) for my miniscule site. I can only hope I do it justice.
'Near Snake Island' is a mellow piece with the employment of field recordings giving it a strong naturalistic feel. It recalls the Dungeon Synth of artists such as the controversial Varg Vikernes aka Burzum and the far more palatable (politically especially) Dead Can Dance. A superb ambient opener. 'Where Does a Moth Go?' is a glorious slice of Post-Rock goodness in the spirit of later day Talk Talk what with the haunting Vocals and use of shimmering atmospheric instrumentation. There's a dream like quality present too which also recalls the stripped back minimalist approach adopted by Shoegaze legends Slowdive on 1995's overlooked Pygmalion. From there is the album's longest track at over seven minutes 'Nostalgia, a Saccharine Poison', a wonderful instrumental piece that combines lightly strummed Country Guitar with an ambient backdrop which will have one reaching for Earth's latter period records as well as SUSS' superb recent Birds & Bees album. The track's clever use of repetition gives the track a hypnotic quality which in less capable hands would have you otherwise reaching for the skip button, beautiful.
'Bones Beguiling' is downbeat Folk with Gothic vibes, the Vocals especially betraying a certain sadness. Names such as Anne Briggs and Sandy Denny spring to mind, as do more contemporary artists such as Plum Green. One of the album's more 'accessible' numbers and a possible entry point for newcomers. 'E Minor Fermented' combines an oriental sensibility with the Droning Art-Rock to be found on Swans' leaving meaning, in fact it sounds like an ideal fit for that record and hence a personal favourite. 'Into the Golden Void' has the spirit of a track such as Nirvana's 'Something in the Way' what with its quiet, dignified yet sombre nature while 'Night Walk in the Loon Sanctuary' is presumably a reference to mental illness and as such there is an overwhelming eeriness present. Avi hums throughout with ghostly sounds accompanying them, and though the track's title makes it sound like it belongs on a Cramps album, the music is otherwise more cinematic in scope as opposed to the campy Psychobilly of that band. 'Ariel' has a similar vibe to 'Bones Beguiling' with the lush Gothic Folk which is being delivered while 'Cocoon', yet another instrumental draws the album to a blissful conclusion thus bringing it full circle.
One of Engel's hopes was that the album would soothe others minds, not just their own and this has certainly been achieved. Why splash out money on mindfulness courses, yoga retreats and therapy, when for a mere few bucks you could be listening instead to this transcendental, wonderful record. A sure-fire respite for the restless mind.
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