Bremnar - Shimmer & Shade

 Released: June 25

Sticking with her usually longform ambient stylings but this time breaking things down into two complimentary parts, Bremnar’s (Allison Greenwood) latest album is a delightful drone experience that has two clearly differing motifs. The first half of the album is occupied by “Shimmer,” which is rather fitting as a name for this piece of music. It features some rather light sounds that evoke a sense of staring out on the plains as a soft breeze slowly sways the tall grasses and the sun glints gently off of a nearby pond. It’s not quite a static experience but don’t expect a great deal of dynamics here, though there are some rather interesting parts that seem to come in at just the right time to add a bit of movement. I recommend that you simply enjoy the small bit of serenity it provides.

As for “Shade,” it feels quite different but also a bit of the same. If the first track was a bright field with the glint of a body of water, then this track feels a bit more like the save room in Silent Hill or Resident Evil. It is equally calm, but it has that slight touch of unease that underpins it. A small bit of dissonance in the long pads and atmospherics of the track gives a sensation that we are sitting in a temporary reprieve. Honestly, this is the one I preferred as I love that way it contrasts with the track that preceded it without feeling out of place. It is still as serene piece, but it feels like it contains something a bit darker as well. But the two tracks in combination make for a wonderful experience that is a bit surreal but also somehow grounded in its approach.