Gareth Skinner’s experience in composing film scores shines through his sophomore studio album, Looking for Vertical. It’s an album of rich textures which can only be described as indie. That often seems like a cop-out term, but this album truly defies neat categorisation.
Gareth thrives on strange marriages. After the electronic early tracks, “More Than What” comes like a bolt from the blue. It’s a beautiful cello driven ballad, stunning it its stripped back approach. That raw treatment is the all more stark after all the technical wizardry that came before. Strings are used again in “Intermission,” but there’s no classical inspiration this time. Instead the cello screeches, almost discordantly, to keep harmony with the electric guitars. “Uplifting” is the most obvious choice for a film score, a track which would surely be played when the hero triumphs. But that’s just one layer too. Over that inspiring soundtrack comes the ramblings of a passionate preacher. It seems at odds, yet on an album like this the strange juxtapositions are almost expected.
Looking for Vertical is an album which refuses to fit into a box. It’s brave because of that, but also a little alienating. An album featuring instrumental music, spoken word pieces, and traditional vocal driven tracks shouldn’t work, but there’s a strange beauty in the weirdness. Looking for Vertical will never become one of my go-to albums. It’s too challenging for that. But Gareth Skinner’s vision and daring approach are to be applauded.
Looking for Vertical is available for pre-order at Rubber Records.
Image source: Rubber Records