One of my all-time super favorites and Warp Records baton carrier Chris Clark surprised everyone recently by A) not only announcing that he’s got a brand new album, “Iradelphic” coming out in early April but B) giving away a FREE track off the record.
In preparation for his follow-up to 2009’s Totems Flare, Clark did a lot of field recording, used a wide range of old analog recording equipment, “crumbling cassettes,” and picked up a guitar and learned to play it (which he’d never done before.) Additionally, Clark hooked up with his Warp brother (and in many ways sonic soulmate) Bibio. In his own words, they had a “massive recording session in Wales” which resulted in only some material being used on the album, however (in my opinion) any and all collaborations they’ve ever had would always result in a perfectly balanced sound. Bibio’s folky tendencies and approach temper Clark’s brilliant, but more abrasive sounds.
Although, I love “Totems Flare” and its predecessor, “Turning Dragon”, and feel that those are Clark truly investigating his sound, Clark’s earlier work on “Body Riddle” and “Clarence Park” are more inherently pleasant listens and that sit on the shelf easily next to ambient Warp Classics like “I Care Because You Do” and “Music Has the Right to Children.”
Describing the final result, Clark sounds very self-assured and proud of his hard work, “To me ‘Iradelphic’ is looming, ambiguous, radiant. Glowing, whole, invincible, complete.”
The FREE track, “Com Touch” is a playful and elaborate mind-bender that is dreamy and undeniably Clark, while having a pastoral aspect to it that feels brand new for him. SOLD!
[Editor’s Note: In an effort to give credit where credit is due, in a recent post on his Tumblr, Bibio has stated that the work on the Iradelphic album is solely that of Clark’s and none of their collaborative work appears on the record.]