(GZH99) WREN - GROUNDSWELLS

INFO
Release date: June 26th (Digital) // September 25th (LP/CD) 2020
Catalogue #: GZH99
Formats: LP / CD / Digital

All LP and CD editions include a download code for 'Runes Ahead' - a sister EP to GROUNDSWELLS, comprised of additional noise experiments captured at Middle Farm Studios, alongside recontextualised source material from the tracklisting of GROUNDSWELLS, merged into unrecognisable states.

‘GROUNDSWELLS’ is the third chapter in Wren’s seasonal lore exploration, and their first through Gizeh Records. These six melancholy-shrouded sonic ruminations swell between intimate performances devoid of adornment, and evolving soundscapes of auditory ruin. Tracing an elemental arch, 'GROUNDSWELLS' captures Wren delving into earthen awakenings.

Launching into a monochromatic dirge, ‘Chromed’ announces the LPs stylistic intentions, forgoing the trappings of traditional harmony with deliberate pendulums of pitch and tone. Swarms of percussion drag the track to its conclusion in a collage of insidious feedback, with oscillations sculpted by the record’s producer, Scott Evans of Kowloon Walled City.

Elsewhere, swift variance is displayed in Wrens’ deft handling of genre and form, refusing to be solely one of either. The record courses between rigid post-punk, broad waves of dreaded sludge, and austere choral reverberations. Pulsating Krautrock themes present in their previous work are revisited, with a focus on embracing archetypal motorik technique, as the LP stretches compositions to their furthest tensions through profuse repetition, straining the cracks between.

Inviting physical, elemental surrounds into ‘Subterranean Messiah’, Wren allow space for the sudden cloudburst of Middle Farm Studios in the introductory passage via location recording, embracing the interplay between source and locality. Combined with the painterly fretwork and ghostly chants of Fvnerals, the collaboration seeks an emotive new path of melodic vulnerability. In contrast, the closing elegy is layered with disharmonious cycles of agonised cello from Jo Quail. As with other conclusions on the LP, the track's commitment to strained repetition is rewarded with sonic climaxes of blackened psychedelia, led by stalagmitic spirals of atonalism.

Throughout the LP, Wren draws from their long-standing apologue, with a partnership of vocalists showcasing a lyrical and vocal interplay thick with a dense lore new to their compositions. 'GROUNDSWELLS' brings Wren to an equinox in their earthly contemplations. Ruminating on the decaying inanition that engenders renewal, this record is a revelry in the cyclical, repetitious infinity of planetary permanence.

PRESSING NOTES
10 - Vinyl deluxe edition. Gizeh Store Exclusive. Silkscreened black ink on a white heavyweight card sleeve. Black poly-lined inner sleeve. Two additional silkscreened 12"x12" prints. Tote bag. 8 page zine. Hand-numbered. CD and download code included.

30 - Vinyl label edition. Gizeh Store Exclusive. Silkscreened silver ink on a black heavyweight card sleeve. Black poly-lined inner sleeve. 8 page zine. Hand-numbered. CD and download code included.

250 - Vinyl standard edition. Heavyweight card sleeve. Black poly-lined inner sleeve. Bandcamp code inserted inside the sleeve.

30 - CD label edition. Gizeh Store Exclusive. Silkscreened black ink on a white recycled card sleeve. Hand-numbered. Download code included.

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SHIPPING POLICY
We offer a variety of shipping options, including tracked delivery. Both vinyl and cd orders are shipped using high grade protective packaging. Read more.