Since 2005, Liz Harris has been crafting hypnotic, quietly exploratory music under the moniker Grouper. She is a master of mood and a cult icon, and her sound stands apart from anything else. When she does perform live, it’s a notable event. (She wrapped up a brief North American tour just last month.) Harris also pursues a handful of other musical projects. Recently, her dream-pop trio Helen resurfaced after eleven years of silence with the charming new album Linda’s Head. Today, Harris announces her first album released under her real name.
Next month, Liz Harris will issue the descriptively titled LP Music For Two Films About Water. Harris has long collaborated with experimental filmmakers, and film projection is part of her live performances. The new record comprises two extended instrumental pieces crafted to score two new films that, as the title implies, function as meditations on water. Tanja Engelberts’ We Exhale examines how humanity has altered the Rhône River through damming, channeling, and pollution. Takashi Makino’s Constellation is more of a contemplation on the dreamlike properties of water. Harris assembled the scores for both films using layers of mellotron, tape loops, Wurlitzer, and field recordings.
Today, listeners get a sample of the album. Harris has shared the 22-minute track “Untitled (From Constellation),” along with an Instagram clip from the film itself. The music is a serene yet haunted instrumental piece that feels partly improvised, with the piano evoking Erik Satie. Check it out below.
Music For Two Films About Water arrives on 11/27 via Kranky.
