Destroyer

On his solo recordings, Justin Walter conjures up vivid sound worlds using the hard-to-master EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument), twisting tonal colors into amorphous, mesmerizing formations. Destroyer is his third release on Kranky, and it inhabits a similar space as 2017s Unseen Forces, but the inclusion of a restored pump organ adds a layer of frayed melancholy to the compositions. "For Us" begins the album with buzzing drone and warped EVI madness, then adds a mysterious wooden clacking/shaking rhythm which results in a sort of ritualistic feel. "Radio Contact" sets the tone with simple keyboard notes and vibrations before the EVI begins probing the outer limits. The albums title track balances gentle, patient pulsations with wisps and curlicues that have a slightly abrasive edge to them. The wheezing pump organ surfaces halfway through "New Pads," which becomes both haunting and mournful, and the fuzzier "Cliff the Cloud Catcher" is feverish and chaotic, yet the racing arpeggios still render it soft and fuzzy. "11.27" has a truly gorgeous, soothing melody, making it feel like falling asleep in a comfy, oversized pillow. "Inner Voices," on the other hand, is sinister and paranoid, hinting at dark thoughts and urges until it becomes blasted with distortion, hazily venting out toxic energy. The remaining embers are extinguished by the time "Slow Walkers" peacefully draws the album to a close. Destroyer channels darker energies than Walters previous releases, but it does appear to reach a state of resolution, and its as unique as his work has ever been. ~ Paul Simpson