Minotaur Shock - Orchard

Bristol has long held a reputation for being home to some of the UK’s foremost electronic musicians. David Edwards is one of the city’s rather more unsung but no less talented electronic auteurs, and fourth album ‘Orchard’ marks his return to making music under the Minotaur Shock moniker after a four-year absence.

After releasing the last two Minotaur Shock records through 4AD, Edwards returns to the label that he originally called home: Manchester’s Melodic Records. ‘Orchard’ is certainly not a backwards step though and it is perhaps the most ambitious and inventive album of Edward’s career.

Edwards has stated that he was becoming increasingly tired of the hackneyed ‘Folktronica’ phrase being misguidedly applied to his music. In response, ‘Orchard’ is in part an attempt to incorporate genuine traditional folk and organic music styles with his usual mix of frenetic electronica and inventive beats. It makes for a beguiling collection.

‘Orchard’ is full of amorphous sounds that morph across different structures and sonic styles. This restless spirit is best encapsulated in the nine minute opening track ’Janet’; a gloriously ambitious quest through all manner of electronic sounds. The effect is utterly mesmerising. The beats give way to gentle acoustic guitar and violin half way through. It is an extremely clever meshing of styles that should not really work, Edwards’ skill as a sonic alchemist allows them to coalesce wonderfully.

The rest of the album never quite hits those same highs but there is more than enough to keep your attention. At times, the scope is overwhelming, as on the collision of sounds of the bonkers ‘Lending Library’. For the most part though, ‘Orchard’ is an album to immerse yourself in and slowly discover the sonic tics and quirks as they gradually unfurl. A genuinely interesting combination of styles.