Late last year, Sam Shepherd, the man behind the Floating Points moniker, released his opus to-date, Elaenia. The UK producer led and toured with his 16-piece ensemble to realize the full-length, adding myriad instrumental complexities to his coveted electronics. Today Shepherd announced the critically acclaimed record’s follow-up, Kuiper.
Shepherd had this to say of the upcoming EP:
“Since starting a band to realise the music from my LP, it has sparked a deep interest in the band itself, and so Kuiper is the result of playing with Leo, Alex and Susumu. Each time we play it, its completely different. We set the scene with electronics, and some drum machines that form the foundation to allow the unfurling of the rest of the track. The version on this EP – believe it or not – was recorded at 8am!
The other side – “For Marmish Part II” – is carbon dated by my singing voice. I can’t get that high anymore! It was recorded way before “For Marmish” on the album but the two tracks happened to be written around the same time.
I want to share them because both sides reflect in two tracks where I was right at the start of the Elaenia project, right up to now post-LP release, playing live and going on the road with a band. I hope, like I feel, people will find a common strand in the hypnotic nature of both tracks.“
Shepherd shared the album’s title track and a live video in conjunction with the announcement. Here, too, you can hear (and see) the live instruments coalesce with Floating Points’ slow-grown, analog-driven electronica. “Kuiper” deals in purgative apotheoses—as much of Shepherd’s compositions do—in waves of full-bodied soundscapes. The artful video provides a window into the creative processes behind his song construction. Check it out above.
Kuiper arrives on July 22 via Luaka Bop in the US and on Shepherd’s imprint PLUTO in the UK.
Floating Points Tour:
4/25 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge $
4/26 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge $
4/27 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room #
4/28 – Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst #
4/29 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine #
5/1 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir #
5/3 – Seattle, WA – Neumos #
5/4 – Vancouver, BC – Celebrities #
5/7 – Chicago, IL – Metro
5/10 – Toronto, ON – Mod Club
5/11 – Montreal, QC – Phi Centre
5/12 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
5/13 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg – SOLD OUT
5/15 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
5/17 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
5/19 – Durham, NC – Moogfest 2016
5/22 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Beats Festival @ Centennial Olympic Park
$ w/ Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
# w/ Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids
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