Glenn Echo’s first project sounds about as cohesive, measured, and poised as a final LP. The project, first formed six years ago by multi-instrumentalist Matt Gaydar, rests in a complicated and soothing style of alternative folk soundscapes. An education in classical music composition lead Matt to experiment with orchestral instruments in more conventional indie folk, giving rise to the style you see so effortlessly put to the test on ‘Fixed Memory’. Far from a stripped back and minimal folk record, Fixed Memory is luscious, intricate, and dense. There are so many tiny details, minutia that can be picked apart and dissected to make this album a treasure trove of soothing soundscapes to drown yourself in. Theirs the more conventional acoustic driven tunes, and there are some that even bring to life a host of electronic aspects to add to the diversity on this immensely ambitious and imaginative record.
For me, the first time I heard ‘Overwhelm’, I was about as blown away as the titular word implies. The vocals, slightly bellowed and ominous, create a building sense of ominous tension to the track. Then, Matt starts to intonate into something much more melodic as he brings the acoustic to life. There’s a level of washed out effect draping over the record, never allowing any single sound to gain complete clarity. It’s kind of muffled, but in a way that adds an effect rather than detracts anything. Right after, on ‘Snowing’, Matt’s acoustic work is given centre stage. It’s hard to accurately describe the feeling that he’s able to evoke, simultaneously frightening but reassuring. The intricacy behind the chords here are awe inspiring enough. On ‘Hearth’, the album sees a level of experimentation that almost feels like its veering into a down tempo deep house track. The drum pedal, the electronic techno esque beat, and Matt’s wonderfully resplendent falsetto create perhaps the most unique and striking piece on the entire album. It almost sounds like something out of Radiohead’s ‘Kid A’.
Honestly, if you even have a fleeting interest in folk music, this album is bound to blow you away. It is, cliches aside, hauntingly beautiful.