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UNSEENRE 004LP
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Originally released in 2008 on CD and in a very limited vinyl edition, The Malady Of Elegance by Goldmund aka Keith Kenniff finally gets its long-deserved vinyl re-release, featuring a new artwork and remastered audio by Taylor Deupree. Taking cues from Corduroy Road (2005) Keith Kenniff (aka Helios) again restricts himself to the piano in conjuring up his humble soundscapes and again you are pulled into a deep, meditative and filmic world as the notes glide to a slow, pensive meter. Keith's precedent release was the challenging Two Point Discrimination EP, released on the Western Vinyl label as part of their portrait series, but where that record was a collection of haunting experiments in form and sound, The Malady Of Elegance sees us back into the warming, homespun territory of Corduroy Road. That's not to say these compositions are upbeat, far from it in fact, but there are lines to be drawn to folk music, and while Keith no longer draws on the American Civil War as a primary influence there is still the sense that the ghosts of old America haunt the keys. On top of these references, you see Keith tripping somewhat fittingly into a flickering filmic world somewhat in line with his taste in European film. There is a delicate narrative on show throughout the record from the opening hopefulness of "Image-Autumn-Womb" through the melancholy of "Now" to the sensitive romance of the closing of the album. Listening to the record almost creates its own cinematic accompaniment in the mind's eye, and this is simply a testament to Keith's incredible talents as a composer. Fans of Erik Satie, Sylvain Chauveau, and Hauschka need look no further, The Malady Of Elegance is a deeply personal meditation which you cannot help but get lost inside. Includes download code; edition of 500.
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UNSEENRE 005LP
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Originally released in 2008 on Type Recordings, Caesura by Helios aka Keith Kenniff returns in a new 2022 edition vinyl re-release, remastered by Taylor Deupree. Keith Kenniff had been with Type from the very beginning, and in the fifth year of the label he offered his fifth gorgeous release. In those five years Keith's style had evolved constantly, with his drifting piano compositions taking the Goldmund label and the Helios sound moving out from underneath the clipped beat-heavy electronics of Unomia (UNSEENRE 001LP) and into a more unique place, even incorporating vocals on the Ayres mini album. Caesura however was his "proper" follow-up to the acclaimed Eingya, and has seen Keith return to the instrumental sound he knows so well. In fact, in many ways Caesura is a more electronic work than its predecessors, blending layer upon layer of synthesizer and adding his assured drumming to come up with the perfect meeting of indie-pop and ambient music. The haunting cinematic element is still present of course, but these songs are more rounded and confident than any in Keith's career to that point. From the delicate bliss of "Hope Valley Hill" which opens up the album with gauzy nostalgia and, as the title promised, hope, through the chunky pop of "Come With Nothings" it is clear that Keith's music is as arresting as it ever was. Taking cues from the lilting indie-electronics of Ulrich Schnauss and the unfussy ambience of Brian Eno, Keith manages to inject this with his knowledge as a composer. The epic harmonies of "Backlight" for instance reveal a lightness of touch rarely heard in the genre with sweeping synthesized chords buzzing alongside Keith's signature guitar. Accompanied by more gorgeous artwork from Matthew Woodson, Caesura still is a glowing record for the winter months, and a glimmer of hope to keep the seasons at bay. First time on vinyl since its original release in 2008. Includes download code; edition of 500.
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UNSEENRE 006LP
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Originally released in 2012 on the artist's own Unseen label only in digital formats, Moiety by Helios aka Keith Kenniff gets a well-deserved physical release in a new 2022 vinyl edition, remastered by Taylor Deupree. In 2012, Kenniff shared this free, digital-only collection called Moiety, which marked a notable shift in pace, both in output and style. Slower, more meditative than past work, Moiety honed in on Kenniff's proclivity as an ambient producer. Moiety is a stunning piece of work, largely instrumental with vocals as an instrument rather than a voice. It's a visceral listen with cinematic scope. No surprise that the opener "Nothing It Can" is one of Helios' most streamed tracks in his whole catalog. First time vinyl edition of this previously digital only release. Includes download code; edition of 500. 45 rpm.
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UNSEENRE 003LP
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2022 repress; vinyl reissue of Helios's breakthrough album, Eingya, originally released in 2006. Eingya by Helios, aka Keith Kenniff, returns in a new 2021 edition vinyl re-release, remastered by Taylor Deupree. Beginning the album on a high with the pastoral beauty of "Bless This Morning Year", Kenniff showcases of what he does best: heartbreaking guitar and piano melodies punctuated by crumbling beats and backed by the most atmospheric synthesizer sounds this side of Eno's Apollo. The appetizing "Halving The Compass" blends subtle field recording with the kind of piano melodies so beautiful they could be compared to Virginia Astley or Harold Budd. This is followed by the album's clear highlight, "Dragonfly Across An Ancient Sky". It's an unsurpassable folk guitar piece with a decomposing percussive background and the sort of melodies that would turn evil tyrants into weeping babies. An album that could appeal as easily to fans of Nick Drake as to fans of Boards of Canada or even early Air, this truly has something for everyone. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Kenniff put out Helios's 2004 debut album, Unomia (UNSEENRE 001LP), while studying percussion at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Since then, he's released six more albums as Helios, in addition to collaborating with his wife Hollie Kenniff in the shoegaze-inspired pop duo Mint Julep and composing music for films and archival use. "A protracted sunset of an album guaranteed to see you through the longest days of summer and into the twilight of the autumn." --The Wire "A soundtrack of molasses-sweet, midsummer sunset melancholy and pastoral mellifluence." --Tinymixtapes. Includes download code.
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