Anna Meredith - Varmints

Anna Meredith
Varmints
2016
Spotify

Anna Meredith is a very interesting case. She is a classical composer who has worked in many of the largest concert halls in the world. However when she works on her own in a non-commissioned sense her music takes on a much more interesting blend of both the old world and the new electronic scene. There is no greater blend of these two world than on the opening track of Varmints "Nautilus". It is huge in scale, with inspiration taken for the 8-bit video games of old, but never falling into a niche genre. It is a blend of electronic and analogue instruments at a level that you have never heard before. On "Taken" she uses an electric guitar to set the pace but then fills the room with different rises and falls using a variety of instrumentation. Her day job as a composer comes through on these tracks as each one features movements that you just would not get anywhere else besides classical music, yet they have this pop bend that really makes them special. It is as if you are listening to the birth of a new genre, but one that is already so refined that we may be hearing the beginning as well as the end. Meredith uses her experience to create music that fills up every inch of space often leaving you without room to catch your breath, though you are extremely happy about it.

 It should not be confused, this music is very avante garde and for most will be a bit to odd to really get into. But when you listen with an open mind, and a keen ear there is so much to be appreciated. The one weakness on the record is perhaps the vocals. It is not that they are bad, but the music is SO good that anything less than pristine vocals sticks out and pulls you out of the vibe that is being created. Everything on this record is so tight, there really is not an ounce of fat where with all that is going on there really could be. It would be so easy for this record to be to much, to big, unapproachable but that just never happens and Anna Meredith wouldn't allow it. "Dowager" has this piece around the 1:40 mark that is absolutely incredibly beautiful on what is already quite the beautiful track. The crystal clear guitars just create this sound that is infectious and even after a few listens never leaves you. On a work like Varmints you would expect the classical training of Meredith to take center stage, and really overpower anything that would fall into the pop realm but her sensibility and highly keen ear don't allow that to happen. Varmints is one of those records that you don't forget when you heard it, and even though this is only her debut solo record Anna Meredith is bringing things to the table to no one can argue with. Get out and listen to this record now, it's imperative.

9.1 out of 10