Gossiwor - Domestic Saga

A modern classic by John T. Gast & Asger Hartvig and a truly idiosyncratic blend of modern classical and dub-influenced electronic music by one of the most original voices in British electronic music that emerged during the last decade.

Few artists’ music from the past 10 years have been as stirring, as revelatory as John T. Gast’s take on high-brow avant-garde/modern classical music and dub; and this Gossiwor’s LP is to me the strongest and most singular example of Gast’s way.

Walking in the steps of James Ferraro and Hype Williams, John T. Gast seamlessly disrupt the meditative nature of the ambient compositions by incorporating mundane sounds: bleeps, walkie-talkie sounds, distorted voices speaking through a phone ; not to mention Asger Hartvig's saxophone, whose piercing sound evokes ominous bagpipes. 

The title-track, "Domestic Saga #2 (All Is Lost)" is one of the most convincing pieces of modern classical released in recent years - a genre that has recently gained a surge in popularity, reaching new audiences thanks to the success of Kali Malone or Lucy Railton. Unlike the aforementioned musicians, Gossiwor succeeds in creating a long and complexe piece of instrumental music, that never gets serious while being genuinely moving and sorrowful. And that is quite an achievement considering that the piece echoes in a striking manner the very serious, very mournful theme of Loss, as mentioned in its title. 

 Eventually, the dub influences that have been secretly irrigating Gossiwor's music are fully exposed to the listener when subterranean low frequencies pop in the mix of "Thank You Lord", recalling the martial digital dub of TNT Roots. Top of the 2010's. (VG+/VG+ one slightly damaged corner)

Tracklist

1. Domestic Saga #2 (All Is Lost)
2. Ava Maria
3. Thank You Lord