Short Reviews [ This Will Destroy You - 2020 - "Vespertine"]

Over the many years of their existence This Will Destroy You founder members Jeremy Adam Galindo and Christopher Royal King have been known for their work in films such as ‘Moneyball’, ‘World War Z’, and ‘Foxcatcher’, but here they have turned their meme to something quite different, namely musical score the band composed for Chef Jordan Kahn's 2-Michelin Star restaurant ‘Vespertine’. The concept is to provide the soundtrack to a dining experience, and is set in such a way that it starts with the arrival at the building, coming inside, meeting the chef in the kitchen etc. They premiered this album with the release of the song “Kitchen” all the way back in 2017, but the album itself only came out a few months ago. I was somewhat intrigued to uncover what was behind the concept of putting music to a meal, so checked out the restaurant where it all made sense as there is a mission statement which says “Vespertine is the vision of Chef Jordan Kahn. The project was formed through a collaboration with architect Eric Owen Moss, and a group of renowned artists to re-imagine and explore the experience of dining. The convergence of food, art, architecture, music, and sculpture is woven throughout to create an immersive, multi-sensory event.” I am intrigued, so much so that if I ever find myself in Culver City in California, I am going to have to seek this out, as this album certainly fits that remit. It is dreamy, reflective, with lots of keyboards and plenty of muted extended guitar chords which have been treated with effects, and it surrounds the listener and takes them to a new place altogether. Playing this, I felt like I was in a very calm place, sat at the sea bottom, allowing myself to commune with what was all around me. The pressure and sound of the water combined with my own breathing being all I could hear, my sense both shutting down and opening up as I experienced something quite different indeed. At times it is almost Floydian, others Radiohead, and yet others Jean Michel Jarre, but always reflective and taking the listener into new directions. Definitely one which needs to be played on headphones and given proper attention to.