Caught In The Wake Forever – The Places Where I Worship You – Album Review by Killian Laher

Scottish artist Fraser McGowan records under the name Caught In The Wake Forever. As well as vaguely singer-songwriter material he also has recorded several ambient albums, and this is his latest. It’s a different sort of listen from more conventional, melodic music, more about creating a mood and atmosphere than memorable tunes. Opening with the sound of running water, On Lochranza Shores oozes from the speakers, what sounds like an organ is accompanied by environmental recordings including bird song.

The lack of conventional music means that your ears attempt to resolve the ambient noise into something approaching melody. The dark atmosphere of Wreaths and Our Own Loch View are reminiscent of Loscil. On the latter an actual keyboard line emerges from the pleasingly suffocating murk. It’s difficult to stick with it at times, but if you persevere you will find that no two listens are the same, each time something new emerges amidst the droning organ and ambient noise. It’s available via bandcamp https://dronarivm.bandcamp.com

1. On Lochranza Shore
2. Sun Downing
3. Wreaths
4. Our Own Loch View
5. Your Absent Breath
6. Often Nowhere

Sun Downing: