Jacob Long (aka Earthen Sea) has a musical provenance that inevitably draws you in to take a look. He’s been a member of the Dischord endorsed, post-hardcore agitators Black Eyes, injected sax and bass to the electro-dub, no-wave work-outs of Mi Ami and since 2014 released less abrasive sounds as Earthen Sea, probing ever deeper the restrained tensions of ambient techno. After releases for New York’s Lovers Rock, this solo work eventually brought Kranky Records calling to welcome Jacob into their particular home of electronic experimentalism.
Since then there’s been two Earthen Sea albums, the kinetic wave-form beats of ‘An Act of Love’ and the more subtle, fluid soundscapes of ‘Grass and Trees’, both turning the heads of those that know and need to know. So news of the forthcoming LP ‘Ghost Poems’ (due 15th April on Kranky) is set to raise pulses and start the chatter once more- where will Earthen Sea be carrying us now?
Maybe the first preview track ‘Rough Air’ drops a hint with its soothing soulfulness and hazy trip-hop sensitivity. Revolving around a humming keyboard loop, suspended within a single warm chord and floating on an understated percussive calm, it’s a tune that glistens, glides and leaves you guessing where you’ve been. Want more elevation? Then ‘Ghost Poems’ is waiting…
To pre-order ‘Ghost Poems’ by Earthen Sea check your independent record store or go to: https://earthensea.bandcamp.com/album/ghost-poems
