If you’re like us, you’ve probably been eagerly awaiting this moment since the “Shadows” EP dropped back in 2011.Leading up the release of “Elaenia” we’ve heard lead single “Silhouettes,” “Nepsole” and the epic closing track“ Peroration Six”. The release of these singles has had everyone buzzing for the release of this album. For the past ten years, all roads Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points has followed have been slowly leading to “Elaenia” – an album with roots deep in his formative years, and one that draws upon everything Shepherd has done so far. An album that provides context to the music that Shepherd has been making to date. Every DJ set he’s performed, every talent he has produced, every composition he has written are thought of as precursors to “Elaenia” – a dazzling score which puts Shepherd in the spotlight as a composer who has produced an album that bridges the gap between his rapturous dance music and formative classical roots. If you’re looking for dancefloor anthems like “Arp 3” you won’t find them here. Over 7 tracks, Shepherd explores his influences, the producer cited Talk Talk as an inspiration, and you can hear elements of Laughing Stock in the immersive and ever-flowing style that permeates the album. The opening track, “Nepsole”, is a slow building introduction where the complex, ever-changing texture makes for a powerful opening. “Silhouettes” a track composed of music from Silhouettes (I, II & III) unfolds over its 10.43 duration with moments of extreme quiet to extreme loudness swelling up to a beautiful vocal/string climax. The title track is an absolute masterpiece that takes each sound it incorporates to another level. This is one of those albums that offers something new and different on each listen. Drawing inspiration from classical, jazz, electronic music, soul and even Brazilian popular music, “Elaenia” – named after the bird of the same name – is the epitome of the forward-thinking Floating Points vision in 2015. It goes without saying that “Elaenia” will be topping many end of year best album charts.
9/10
