Lnrdcroy: Much Less Normal Vinyl 2LP

Originally released as a cassette on 1080p Collection in 2014, Lnrdcroy’s gentle amalgam of summery house, arboreal ambient zones and blunted downtempo was a pillar of the contemporary sound of Vancouver before it devolved into (mostly) tote bag house. 1080p label boss Rich McFarlane sums it up: “This is one of my favourite 1080p releases, not only because it’s so exact in its examinations of landscapes and neighbourhoods here in British Columbia but also from the idiosyncrasies that come with along with classic ambient electronica touchstones. Much Less Normal has (for real) affected a lot of people here in Vancouver, I think for touching on some vaguely collective sensation of what it feels like to live here.” This spirit is on full display on “I Met You On BC Ferries” and sublime opening track “Land, Repair, Refuel.” The scorched swing of “Ad In The Paper” plays like a more domesticated, less witchcraft-obsessed iteration of Boards Of Canada. Much Less Normal is an uplifting affair, but traces of darkness almost manage to seep through in the Tim Hecker-esque soundscapes of “Sphere Of Influence” and “Now I’m In Love.”  Scotland-based Firecracker Recordings rescued this fantastic album from cassette purgatory in 2015, remastered for vinyl with one brand new track (“Kendal In Kalusia”) and eschewing the original 1080p artwork in favor of something more in keeping with their own aesthetic (the screenprint on the back of the die-cut sleeve is actually sick AF), and after quickly going out of print, they've finally come through with the cracking repress. Recommended.

• official repress
• double vinyl pressing
• die-cut sleeve
• music label: Firecracker Recordings 2015 / 2017

reviewed by hannibal chew 10/2017