Johannes Björk is a Gothenburg based artist interested in contrasts. This record was born during the pandemic, as a side project to Björk’s PhD Thesis. It is the first record he has made in many years. Previously, Johannes was part of striking post-rock outfit Malysz. Ljus & Grus means light & gravel and this four track 7” explores both luminous and darker textures. Literature also plays an important role. The rich and varied experimental tones are complemented by the spoken words of illustrator and narrator, Siri Ahmed Backström. Poet and experimental musician Pär Thörn is also on hand to supply extra sounds in the shape of field recordings, sine waves and loops. If you are wondering where this fits in with the current crop of Gothenburg experimentalism, it is both a part and separate from that scene. There is no direct connection between this record and the overarching Discreet Music empire. However, Johannes Björk has known key Discreet personnel since the early 2000s and the Gothenburg ‘loner gloom’ is certainly present on this record. The Ljus side starts with Ståltråd och stoppnål, where Backström’s story is backed by bright synths with an almost regal feeling. It is complemented by the exposed voice, rasping bass and deliberate cello of Solnamotets harar.The Grus side begins with the wonder gazing melodies and half sung-spoken vocals of Svedjebruk. It closes with Sedimentet genomskuret, a truly Gothenburgian delight of glassy synthetics and disquieting mechanised sounds. An essay from Mikael van Reis can be found in the booklet that accompanies this 7”. Ljus & Grus is a beguiling record!
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