British composer-producer Ian Mathias-Baker has released his latest album Specific Gravity on April 8th, 2024. The album features six tracks that showcase Mathias-Baker’s unique blend of classical orchestration and electronic elements. Known for his eclectic style, Mathias-Baker experiments with various genres such as glitch, emo-pop, and hip hop.
However, Specific Gravity stays true to its melancholic tone throughout the collection. The album is a reflection of the composer’s grief over a specific tragedy, which is hinted at in an accompanying essay released with the album. The four “Mythic Texts” that open and close the album add to its enigmatic atmosphere. The remaining two tracks feature poetic settings of works by Charles Bukowski and T.S. Eliot, which further add to the album’s somber mood. In “Man Mowing the Lawn Across the Way from Me,” Bukowski’s words take on a more sinister connotation when stripped of their context. The use of minimal and ambient sounds, along with distorted electric guitars, enhance the unsettling feeling of the track. Eliot’s “The Hollow Men” fits perfectly with the album’s theme of tragedy and loss.
The spoken word over a pop groove, accompanied by electronica, serves as a stark reminder of the horrors that humans are capable of. The final “Mythic Text” acts as a chorus, offering a commentary on the drama that unfolded throughout the album. A string elegy and a discordant theatre organ close the album on a haunting note. Overall, Specific Gravity showcases Mathias-Baker’s prowess as a composer and producer. The album’s fusion of classical and electronic elements, along with its thought-provoking themes, make for a unique listening experience. Specific Gravity is available on all major platforms.