The curatorial geniuses over at Kranky Records are coming out swinging in 2013. After announcing a long-lost album from Grouper, a fresh set from elemental fuzz-heads Implodes, some new beauty from the folk auteur Benoît Pioulard, and more mercury-dipped ambiance from Ethernet, the Chicago experimental music bastion has let slip that Pan American will at last follow up 2009’s lovely White Bird Release with a long-player called Cloud Room, Glass Room, due out April 29.
As the label explains, project mastermind Mark Nelson has inducted percussionist Steven Hess as a full-time member. The seven new songs (track list below) began to take shape as the pair prepared for a series of European performances in late 2011. Nelson’s Labradford bandmate bassist Bobby Donne also contributes here and there, giving the album a stronger live feel. First taste “Glass Room at the Airport” exemplifies that, tracing an organic progression built of intertwining fuzz, percussive bits, and warm sub-pass pulse. At six minutes, it’s a miniature vacation from whatever obnoxiousness might be plaguing your day. Stream or download below:
Pan American, Cloud Room, Glass Room track list:
1. “The Cloud Room”
2. “Fifth Avenue 1960”
3. “Relays”
4. “Glass Room at the Airport”
5. “Laurel South”
6. “Project for an Apartment Building”
7. “Virginia Waveform”