Description
The picture of contemporary electronic music certainly includes Craven Faults, an artist recognized for his unique intersection of ambient sounds with Kraut rock influences that reflect his native landscapes of Yorkshire. “Sidings”, an LP scheduled for release in 2026, signals the continuing evolution of this trendsetting artist. The album expands upon the Craven Faults stellar discography which took flight with “Erratics & Unconformities” in 2020 and “Standers” in 2023. However, with “Sidings”, Craven Faults forges a new path, his electronic murmurs lending a unique voice to the northern parts of England.
“Sidings'” narrative doesn’t cater to human sentimentality; instead, it pays homage to engineering marvels, a testament to Craven Faults‘ ability to create abstract electronic pieces reminiscent of musical colleagues such as Aphex Twin and Burial. The album reflects on a community shaped around an engineering masterpiece that presented 14 tunnels and 22 viaducts as a gateway to the north. It converges the auditory influences from various studios stretching from the heart of Hollywood to Rochdale, encapsulating a time span from 1952 to 1980.
While Craven Faults‘ tracks often result in a hypnotic spell entrancing listeners, the production process mirrors the artist’s fascination with the devilish details within the layers of a composition. Much like Trent Reznor’s commitment to his craft, attention to detail has always been Craven Faults‘ artistic motto. This devotion becomes a lifeline for those who dare to venture deeper into the musical dimensions constructed within “Sidings”.
Emerging from the shadows in 2017 with “Netherfield Works”, the man behind Craven Faults has meticulously curated each release to cement his musical footprint. The album “Erratics & Unconformities”, the first under the The Leaf Label, was glowingly dubbed a “tour-de-force” by critics, while “Standers” received praises for its “hypnotically idiosyncratic” music. Live performances of Craven Faults reflect the artist’s sonic niche, as signified by his sold-out shows at Leeds’ Thwaite Watermill and Studio 9294 in London.
“Sidings” also follows the blueprint of Craven Faults‘ previous releases, like “Bounds” in 2024, treating listeners to an immersive 37-minute journey through the crevices of Northern England’s musical terrain. However, “Sidings” is not just a music album; it is a euphonic chronicle of the ever-changing connections between man-made infrastructure and the pulsating rhythm of modern life. Keep an eye out on this chapter of Craven Faults‘ musical odyssey, as “Sidings” is set to grace the vinyl world in January 2026.
