It’s been a couple of years since Cave Dweller’s debut Walter Goodman (or the empty cabin in the woods) entered my unsuspecting ears. I gave it 9.5 out of ten despite finding it hard to describe the profound effect that Adam R Bryant’s genius had on my emotional state.

Now, some two years later I find myself a much more stable, sober fella and wonder if Cave Dweller’s unique approach to aural painting will hit as hard against my more robust shell.

Well, the answer, gentle reader is a resounding fuck yeah. The wonderful mix of field recordings of nature, loops recorded on old and decrepit instruments, poetry, neo folk, industrial, jazz and Americana once again transports me to a dark green space that makes me, at once feel safe and unsettled.  Like a cosy blanket in the cabin from Evil Dead.

As I have mentioned before when reviewing Cave Dweller or Bryant’s other project Pando, this is music made for another age. An age where albums are the main event, to be laid out and immersed in.  There is no point streaming this, adding it to a playlist and you certainly should not attempt to drive or attempt to use heavy machinery whilst submerged beneath Invocations murky warm waters.  The only thing outside of your speakers that you should experience is the accompanying album artwork and liner notes/lyric sheet which are as much part of the album as the music on the disc.  Each track has corresponding lyrics, an explanation of the recording process and the inspiration behind it.  For example, the incredibly haunting pseudo tribal black metal of “mirror” – “sounds recorded from a cottage getaway in New York Harbour, the lyrics and inspiration for this track come from a soul quest assigned to me through a rigorous training regime from the new year to Litha, the frame drum is made of moose skin and tendon, played under the ocean fog on a rainy night.“  Taken out of context I could forgive you for rolling your eyes but once you hear the gulls and foghorns fading in and out over the infectious drum rhythm soaked keys and blackened rasp vocals you will find yourself dragged through a portal into Cave Dwellers wilderness.

I’ll be honest, I am not going to have this album on repeat. It’s not going to come with me to the gym or accompany me on a walk into town to go shopping. Cave Dweller is not an every day artist, not something to soundtrack life. Like a piece of fine art or a Michelin starred meal it is something to be savoured, the infrequency of consumption makes the experience all the more special. (Like I have ever been to a Michelin starred eatery). The sounds are achingly organic, you can taste the woodland air and feel the rain on your skin as you listen to the recordings. Invocations really is a holiday for all the senses, a holiday shot through with melancholia.

I press eject and file it away for when I need it next.

(9/10 Matt Mason)

https://aestheticdeath.bandcamp.com/album/invocations

https://www.aestheticdeath.com/releases.php?mode=singleitem&albumid=5561