Kenneth James Gibson is never far away from releasing new music, and alongside Cynthia and James Bernard, the trio return as Almost An Island.
Following last year’s self-titled debut LP, Few Words Are Enough sees the trio unveiling a piece that was originally released on Past Inside the Present’s year-end compilation. It something that evolved on a larger scale. Gibson’s music, like Cynthia Bernard’s work as Marine Eyes, highly re-mixable, and following Few Words Are Enough, they integrate these facets within the Almost An Island framework.
From front to back, Almost An Island felt like a snapshot to the afterlife. Seamless soundscapes you imagined would envelope such tranquil milieus. Led by soft colours that radiate these landscapes of refuge, essentially it was a soundtrack to peace. Few Words Are Enough continues that same quest.
Led by the eponymous track, Almost An Island melt the worlds of ambient, post-country and dream-pop into each other. Cynthia’s graceful, wordless vocalisations, like watching a sunrise, and backed by Gibson’s glittering lap steel, it’s a cinematic quality that cyrstallises content.
Almost An Island - Few Words Are EnoughThe extended ambient mix is as contrasting a re-work as you’re going to get. Personally, I’ve never put great stock into re-works, but Gibson’s skill in the arena has always been an exception. This latest cut, something tailored for cathedrals, possessing those same transcendental moments Julianna Barwick has orchestrated over the years. It’s a piece that is uplifting, the two mixes evoking gorgeous, split personalities.
Gift of Place follows the same lineage. Sparkling textures led by taishogoto harp and lap steel, it’s a dreamscape that drifts to every corner of Almost An Island’s sound world. One that embodies collaboration and world-building, as Gibson, Cynthia and James’ musical voices individually shine through.
As they work on their follow-up to Almost An Island, Few Words Are Enough is an important bridge to it. For now, though, let this into your world and submit to its beauty. It’s enough to make your world stop, if only for a brief moment.
Few Words Are Enough is out now via Past Inside the Present. Purchase from Bandcamp.
