ALBUM REVIEW: Erland Cooper – Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence

Mercury KX/Decca

Released: 20.09.24

The latest long player from avant garde Orcadian composer Erland Cooper has been on a remarkable silent journey even before its release. Three years ago every trace of the recordings were deliberately destroyed save for a ¼ master tape buried secretly in Orkney. Following clues released on the equinoxes, the original recording was eventually located and exhumed from the earth by fans of Cooper.

The rediscovery is a musical masterwork. Sensitive string arrangements; recurring motifs; emotionally-charged. It could be said to be a music closer than ever before to Erland’s beloved nature. Now as uniquely bonded to Orkney as the crackly recordings contained within of the late, great islands poet George Mackay Brown to whom this is a tribute. A bewitchingly beautiful album.