Not so long ago, we introduced you to the fantastic ‘Astronomica’ album from Chicago-based artist of1000faces. As part one in what is a colossal ‘Monomyyth’ trilogy, this is inevitably followed by a new album – today we present the premiere for the title track from offering number two – ‘The Infinity Line’. While comparisons have been drawn to such artists as Hiroshi Yoshimura, Laurie Spiegal, Tangerine Dream, a few more that come to mind with respect to this particular single are Vangelis, Giorgio Moroder and Bonobo. Just like the debut offering in this trilogy, the music here is pristine and simply stunning.
of1000faces is the solo project of Matt Walker, renowned for his formidable drumming skills for multiple top-tier alternative artists. For 25 years, he has toured and recorded with such icons and luminaries as Morrissey, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage and Filter, all the while dedicating himself to a myriad of independent bands, side projects and film/tv work.
Known for his obsessive writing and recording while on tour, Walker eventually decided to pursue a more singular and personal endeavor. Thus was born of1000faces, the moniker reflecting the project’s inherit premise and, at the same time, a nod to Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero of 1000 faces’.
Both albums exude a terrestrial reverence, reflection and dreamery, using the elements as primary themes. Regarding the new album, the question remains – does ‘The Infinity Line’ poing to a transient future or a transcendent past?
Fraught with exacting energy, this music recalls the best parts of a European intellectual awareness, eschewing words to bury the language in the deep scapes of the music. Here, brilliant solar swathes of light exist in the darkest urban caverns and the deepest sub-aquatic voids, laced with the smoky striations of sound-as-vapour trails in the sky.
“The Infinity Line is the second act in the ‘Monomyyth Trilogy’. It’s an Instrumental album with ambient DNA, but is less passive than its predecessor. It has a wider dynamic scope and the general mood is darker and more evocative. I actually have no memory of the title track’s inception. What followed were many lost hours in its polyrhythmic maze, searching for the right synthesis of mallets, electronics and percussion. All lending to that feeling of running in a dream state, without a beginning or end,” says Matt Walker.
of1000faces debut EP ‘Love Imperfect’ was released in 2013, featuring radically disparate musicians such as Chris Connelly (Ministry, Revolting Cocks) and Grammy award-winning jazz guitarist Wayne Johnson. 2018 brought two singles – the Krautrock-infused dreampop track ‘MM/DD/YYYY’ featuring Brandon Robbins (The Moth & the Flame ) and the ethereal ballad ‘Sleeping’s for Dreamers’ featuring Jimmy Gnecco (Ours).
Although another of1000faces art-pop album is currently in the works (for release in 2021), Walker shifted focus recently with a wave of creative inspiration that took the shape of an instrumental trilogy. The current pandemic, a tenuous week in London cutting short Morrissey’s UK tour, an inspired transatlantic flight and a cold, rainy week in Chicago provided the canvas for this new series of releases.
The new output does not beg, steal or borrow from anything that of1000faces has released to date: influenced by the majesty of landscapes and timeless city scapes, transient futures and a transcendent present, ‘The Infinity Line’ LP lends an occasional oblique respectful eye-dip towards Bowie’s more extravagant and studious instrumental explorations, and perhaps the serene detail of Sakamoto. This is music that moves by itself without start or finish. This album is a solo voyage.
The ‘Astronomica’ album is out now, previewed by this sampler video spanning the full album. ‘The Infinity LIne’ LP will be released digitally on December 16 across online stores such as Apple Music and streaming platforms such as Spotify and Bandcamp.
Photos by: Derick Smith / Treatment: Brian Doherty
