Aidan Baker "Figures"

a re-issued edition of the classic improvisational study by Aidan Baker, expanded with bonus tracks!

With his latest release "Figures", Aidan Baker presents a fascinating study in particular themes and phrases utilizing similar ideals throughout the disc. The result is a variety of new environments and atmospheres which, although having shared elements, are all distinct in their own way.

Opening track "Figure" features plaintive strings by guest Lisa Rossier-Thorton playing overtop a constant drone with simple melodies. The following piece, "Figures" uses a metronome-like beat that slowly builds in complexity paired with beautiful arpegios played underneath a quietly intoned vocal detailing the intricacies of human interaction. It's a beautiful track, made all the more emotional with the addition of vocals.

"Figure 1" follows, using a looping phrase from the earlier pieces. From it's sparse beginning the track builds an imposing wall of sound growing in size and form threatening to overtake the listener until it breaks up under the size of itself and mutates into a beautiful study in harmonics. "Figure 2" presents a haunting take on the shoegazer aesthetic with a slightly muffled guitar arpegio from earlier in the disc playing overtop a lightly strummed melody. Crystalline and delicate, other elements slowly come into play taking the track along new paths and directions.

The fifth track "Figured" sees a return of the string accompanyment from track one, adding a new dimension and sound to the phrases that have appeared throughout. It's an achingly beautiful piece, surely one that has stayed with me ever since my first listen.

The sixth and final track "Figure 3" sees new themes and phrases but approaches them in a similar stylistic manner to the way earlier pieces have been played, a similar hypnotic trance-like approach. Stunning in it's simplicity, but powerful in it's emotion, "Figure 3" is an excellent track to close to the disc.

With "Figures" Aidan has created a stunning collection of songs that push boundaries and inspire the listener's imagination. Where many other artists attempting a similar exercise would find themselves lost in repetition and a lack of direction, Aidan is able to execute this flawlessly, proving his talent for improvisation and his ability to create spontaneous sound worlds with a minimum of tools. I've heard it said that Aidan gets better with every release and "Figures" would stand to prove that theory.

rik - ping things