Um Fall Am - Things Fall By
[Split Femur Recordings]

Issued as part of Split Femur’s download series “Things Went By” is the work of London-based musician David Cooper. Constructing a tightly woven fabric of lulling found sounds and electronically-enhanced folk guitar, Cooper’s Um Fall Am project is, perhaps, too intimate to be simply classified within the folktronic movement.

His adroit, processed guitar style when married with the bucolic nature of his library of field recordings, aligns him closer to more experimental artists like Epic45 and Origamibiro, while there are glimpses of Helios within his style too. There’s a nostalgic, warm aura surrounding these six compositions that is far removed from what one would expect from a city dweller.

The forlorn, folk finger-picking and gurgling water sounds found within “Number 1” flashes images of hedgerows, trees and vast countryside fields, the peaceful nature of such a quiet lifestyle is captured in this track’s first couple of minutes, before Cooper sets of on a journey of whirlpooling atmospherics and hushed, sunset harmonics. “Number 2” changes tact exploring a similar vibe to that of labelmate A Hurra Caine Landcrash, as Cooper chooses to envelope this piece in clouded textures and low-key scratches.

The backwards looped guitar experiment of “Number 3” provides a temporary lull in proceedings, only to be saved by the fresh sounds of summer, as bird chirps and light wind washes recall those times spent under cloudless, crystal blue skies and resplendent sunshine. Both tracks four and five follow suit, adding innocuous found sounds without detracting from Cooper’s unassuming, yet engaging musicianship, while “Number 6” casts a nocturnal shadow ending this record on a high note with purple dusk guitar tones, distant, indecipherable voice samples and soft, metallic clangs .

There’s an endearing quality threaded throughout this release, at just over 20 minutes long Cooper doesn’t over stay his welcome, while the six compositions featured are as satisfyingly explorative as they are low-key.

Track Listing:

Number 1
Number 2
Number 3
Number 4
Number 5
Number 6