ALBUM REVIEW: Vespertine – This Will Destroy You

The new release from experimental/post-rock legends THIS WILL DESTROY YOU is actually the score for a Michelin-star restaurant, who wanted to create a multi-sensory dining experience for their customers. Yep, it’s probably about as pretentious as it sounds, but as the world around us descends into chaos, an hour long ambient album may just be the thing we need…

Vespertine is designed architecturally, inspired by the space and shape of the building of the restaurant of the same name. We get an impression of what the building may look like from the outside with the intimidating introductory piece, Building Rumble. It harkens back to the band’s ‘doomgaze’ roots yet is also full of foreshadowing. A curious album opener, were it not for the lighter elements of instrumentation scattered throughout the background of this piece, it may not even anticipate the rest of the album at all. As it is, it’s an imposing and intriguing beginning.

A total tone change, Entrance instantly begins with uplifting and poignant string parts. The bass this time is warm and comforting instead of imposing, yet retains the rumbling insistence of the previous track. A perfectly balanced medium of highs and lows, the sound is tonally flawless as well. There are still plenty of moments of intrigue and mystery which signal more to come. This track pulsates with life, as it signifies the moment where guests move into the restaurant. It builds towards crescendos which sound like a wave crashing; there is constant movement in the sound and static in the build ups towards every climax. 

Kitchen is full of warmth and cosiness as the guests enter the food area. This lead single has a warm sound, reminiscent of stringed instruments. There are also more percussive elements this time, and a focus on upper registers. The completion of each phrase comes as a poignantly satisfying rounding off of the sound, which is at times resolved and unresolved. In this way, the track keeps you on your toes and the intrigue continues. Chords are echoed in the background of this track, next to a constantly running synth which continually drives the track forwards. This has more of a structure than previous tracks, as the shape of the experience is beginning to be moulded. 

Next is the celestial-inspired Rooftop, a standalone highlight which makes use of much more staccato than other tracks. It is more aggressive in its delivery, and is actually pretty discordant in many ways, despite ultimately remaining calm and full of curiosity. Backed by glacial synths, this track sounds like the music shooting stars would make. Every ebb and flow of Dining Room comes as a warm hug, a comforting squeeze and a blessed relief from the horrors of the world today. The ghostly high pitched notes of this track sound like someone dragging their finger around the rim of a wine glass – echoed and mirrored into contrasting frequencies. Each breaking of the phrase comes fuller each time so that, as the song progresses, you sink deeper into its texture of dense softness.

Exit is a great way to bring the concept full circle, with the rumbling bass returning as the background this time, and the uplifting mid-range at the forefront. It’s the shortest track on the album, but a necessary one which elevates the concept. Garden clocks in at over 20 minutes long, and begins beautifully with neater and fuller layering than other tracks, truly blissful and reverential in its tranquillity. Swells build with emotional intent and sound more organic than previous tracks – can hear some more strumming and also record crackles which bring this track a bit more humanity than some of the previous monoliths of sound. The solo melody over the top is painfully poignant and simply brimming with emotion and peace. Garden is existential in its integrity and gorgeously precise in its production and arrangement. 

THIS WILL DESTROY YOU are an absolute cornerstone of post rock ambition, coupled with architectural inspiration and pinnacle songwriting skills, Vespertine is an absolute work of art and could not really be bettered in any way. Don’t let this score be wasted on a fancy restaurant that no one can afford to go to – stick this on while you bring your housemate breakfast in bed and enjoy your coffee as the world falls apart around you. 

Rating: 10/10

Vespertine is out now via Dark Operative.

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