Ben McElroy - "Bed Down in the Murk"

“There's no doubt this recording is midwinter folk music. You can hear the winds blowing in from the East, swaying branches instead of rustling green leaves, summer joi de vivre is replaced by winter stoicism, But even in midwinter the clouds dissapear to reveal blue skies and all those lucky enough to be out in the open often pause in a sunny spot to enjoy the warmth on their pale skin. Maybe for a moment thoughts even dare turn to the warmer days ahead? Then the clouds roll in again.”

I love this description of Ben McElroy’s latest composition, “Bed Down in the Murk”. Looking out my window on the half-inch of snow that fell, I can only describe this scene as “midwinter”. The music flowing out of the speakers is a sonorous fiddle played through cavernous reverb - highs hitting past the ceiling and joining the swirling snow outside. Low, loamy drones and rich, dreamy ambient pads tie this to the earth and to the cycle of seasons that produce our food - as depicted in the song’s evocative imagery. Lovely work from this Nottingham, UK based artist. Fans of Simon McCory, The Wind up Bird and Noveller should take note.