Hidden Shoal Recordings today announced the release of ‘Part 4’, the new single from English ambient drone architect Stray Ghost, taken from his forthcoming album Nothing, But Death.
On his immersive new release, Anthony Saggers mines the rich depths of melancholy and longing. ‘Part 4’ is a slow, sad drift across a half-remembered landscape of distant drones, with a slow descending lump-in-the-throat melody, all cloaked in smoky ambience. Each rise and fall feels like a slow-motion chapter in some narcoleptic romance. ‘Part 4’ is a bittersweet taster for the forthcoming release of the long-awaited new Stray Ghost album Nothing, But Death in February 2010. The track follows on from the stunning Stray Ghost EP Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise released in October 2009 through Hidden Shoal Recordings.
“Of all the daring new punks giving old ambient stalwarts a run for their money, Saggers is at the top of the heap, a prime example of the refreshing and beautiful ambient renaissance of the past few years” – Jack Britton, The Silent Ballet
One of England’s most innovative sonic artists, Stray Ghost creates highly emotive soundscapes, rich in cinematic sound design and employing elements of drone, minimalism, shoegaze, ambient and electro-acoustic music. Born in Oxfordshire 22 years ago, Anthony Saggers has only been making music for three years, but has quickly received widespread acclaim. In August 2008, the label Highpointlowlife Records released Stray Ghost’s debut release, Losthilde, a semi-autobiographical exploration of lost love, which received glowing reviews and featured in Textura’s top-of-the-year list.
Dead Pilot Records released the Fabula/Sjuzhet EP shortly after, followed by the release of A House of Gold and Oak through net-label Phantom Channel, which showcased a greater compositional ability, and a more controlled, minimal approach. Saggers is currently living in Canterbury and is recording a collaborative album with Eugene Robinson, of the band Oxbow, and playing as part of the band Bardo Thodol.
‘Part 4’ is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store until the release of the new Stray Ghost album, Nothing, But Death, on February 16th, 2010.
Stray Ghost – Part 4 Stray Ghost – Part 4