Simon James French is a sound artist currently based in London, UK. His work is increasingly involved in the art of field recording but often transcends the gap between phonography and sound design. Interested in cross-media work, Simon’s work often contains field recordings, synthesis, and live electronics.
‘Anthem‘ (Hibernate Records 005) is the majestic debut album from composer Simon James French…
It would seem that the label can do no wrong at the moment producing stunning releases time after time. This is clearly the case with Simon’s project, as each composition resonates a deep atmospheric feel, capturing a timeless soundscape of the highest order.
With it’s orchestral like environment of exploration and wonder, ‘Anthem‘ demonstrates Simon’s expertise within the realms of experimental soundscapes. You immidiately sense his ability to allow each track time and space to breath without ever needing to ‘over do’ things, a technique commomplace throughout.
This is never more evident than in the stand out track ‘Misery‘; never overreaching, never trying too hard to overstate, flawlessly encapsulating an eerie gothic feel along the lines of Jacaszek’s creations.
‘Anthem’ delievers ghostly digital portraits with it’s low organ tones and treated sounds…
An exceptional debut album from the talented artist that would be a great addition to any music connoisseur’s collection. 9/10
Thank you for the kind words Simon!!! Yes this song appears on "Concrete" new album out in December for Dedicated records. See soon! Thank you for the support!
Simon James French delivers his debut with 'Anthems'. His roots are with field recordings, but as far as composing goes, he is inspired by the techniques of Ligeti - clouds of sound that is. His music is very much along the lines of Cummings: ambient, perhaps a bit more drone based than the other, based on heavily processed field recordings and sometimes recognizable field recordings (rain sounds). Nicely flowing, almost synthesizer like music, but its stays away from being a cliched new age recording. Here its hard to find anything new under this sun, but then I must also say that I thought it was all pretty good. His compositions are not just linear explorations of a theme, but instead go out and have interesting movements and changes, which makes this at least in some ways different than many of his peers. A nice debut, in fact a most promising one - on both accounts here. (FdW)
Ha ha! The Magpie thing is because the first time I ever made a short film everything was just borrowed to get it done, That & another story I will tell you about in person...
I'm surprised that anybody still uses Myspace...I thought it was so old it was almost retro!
I will be around in the next few days, defiantly Wednesday before the shoot.
I'm unable to ring people at the moment my phones dead but will be in contact!
![Subterminal [new album]](http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/100/s_aa5acab129ae4c03a6e0351bbfd1427c.jpg)
