7/10
Ever since he first emerged, Gabriel Walsh's The Earthly Frames project has been seen as one of the more exploratory names doing the rounds in recent years. Turning out a new collection of offerings almost every year, with each one more innovative than the last, his reputation for dynamic compositions and adventurous pursuits is almost unparalleled. And after the rousing response to his much-loved LP 'Taped Over' last year, he returns once again to deliver his latest studio album 'Infranyms', a record that continues that vibrant ascent.
While it is fair to say that David Bowie's repertoire probably had the biggest influence over this new outing, 'Infranyms' still manages to pursue a fresh and original outlook for itself. Matching these rich and spacey textures with a broad and alluring atmosphere as often as possible, Walsh finds himself in one of his most progressive guises yet. With an inventive yet nostalgic familiarity alongside a forward-thinking approach to production, he returns to the fold in fine form, continuing that expressive direction we have always loved him for.
With his roots in the experimental pop world shining through here, 'Infranyms' marks a vital addition to his ever-evolving sound. Keeping the momentum and flow moving ever forward, The Earthly Frames remains a project that keeps surprising us and pushes the boundaries of its own aesthetic as far as it will go.