‘Architect’ is a rare breed of album. It took an entire year to craft but only one man to do it. That man is C Duncan. Instrument by instrument and layer by layer it was built and recorded in isolation, in his bedroom but it’s not your typical home project by any means. Lo-fi, yes. Low quality, no.
Lushly textured and full of complex dream pop soundscapes, ‘Architect’ manages to inhabit a unique vision of all that music can be.
Intricate arrangements pop and hum with a soothing dexterity. Sonic landscapes, rich in texture, draw you in, compelling you to swim amongst them. There’s a distinctive rhythm throughout too, given visual representation via the artwork on this and the singles the album has spawned so far.
‘Say’ is an uplifting slice of choral harmonies which harks back to Pet Sounds era Beach Boys, whilst ‘He Believes in Miracles’ welcomes psychedelic ambience, giving off Mama’s and Papa’s vibes. Neither song is a throwback though. Instead C Duncan straddles the line between modernism and psychedelia; between rock, pop, electronic and classical; between folk and jazz; between everything that’s ever been and everything that ever will be.
There’s a tangible weightlessness to songs like ‘Architect’ and ‘By’, both marked by Duncan’s steady and controlled projection of harmony-laden lyrics, a factor which is typical throughout.
‘Garden’ feels more unhinged, building the layers until the chorus erupts. It’s wildy inventive and gives an immediate lift in pace and energy to the second half of proceedings.
But even when the pace is being marked by the clacking of a steadier rhythm, on tracks like ‘Silence and Air’ or ‘New Water’, there’s so much going on you can’t help but be charmed by the beauty of it all.
By the time the sentimental offerings of last track ‘I’ll Be Gone by Winter’ are languidly rolling out of the speakers, the ethereal delight of everything you’ve just heard can only be bettered by diving in again and repeating the swim.
Simply put, ‘Architect’ is dream pop perfection rarely heard.
- Garlands - 24 August 2019
- Josh Doyle - 2 May 2017
- The Shins / Grandaddy / Honeyblood - 30 March 2017
“NEW REVIEW* for @isthismusic > It’s @mrchrisduncan’s album Architect. http://t.co/e5D4SDm785
RT @isthismusic: Album review – C Duncan – ‘Architect’ -http://t.co/wQRNtrot5I @mrchrisduncan
ICYMI: @mrchrisduncan’s new album Architect is out. I reviewed it for @isthismusic. Check out the 5* review here >> http://t.co/e5D4SDm785