Debut studio album from London’s Floating Points. Elaenia might catch some of the prodigious producer’s fans a little off guard. Though he’s remained surprisingly consistent through a number of singles and EPs, Floating Points (aka Sam Shepard) doesn’t seem to stick to quite the same sound from release to release. The music on Elaenia may be more rooted in Shepard’s formative years than anything else he’s done before. It’s meticulously crafted music that seems more in tune with turning in than turning things out on the dancefloor. There’s a feeling of introspection as you dig for the details unfolding out of Shepard’s Rhodes. Layers ebb and flow throughout the album with Shepard’s light touch leading the way through all of the changes. Elaenia is stunningly beautiful work from a producer who seems to just be getting started. Includes the songs: “For Mamish,” “Silhouettes (I, II & III),” “Thin Air,” and “Argent.” Seven tracks in all. Released by Luaka Bop on 180 gram vinyl.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• music label: Luaka Bop 2015

reviewed by lonesome dove 11/2015