James Johnston’s first record on Trestle is a collection of desolate and stark arrangements and improvisations. Bleak sonic fields conjure a mood of distanced isolation whilst in other instances a frustrated aggression and brooding malevolence seems to be inferred. Ranging from classical compositional structuring to tonal and noise-scapes the record reflects Johnston’s preoccupations with creating filmic atmospheres that perhaps quietly disturb. Recorded at separate times over the past few years between duties with Gallon Drunk, Faust and Lydia Lunch this is the first solo release of Johnston’s which focus on wordless abstracted explorations.

James Johnston – All Instruments