Since the release of his debut album Almond in 2006, Aaron Martin has been lauded worldwide for songs of unique warmth, whimsy, feeling and charm – what Australia’s Radio National described as ‘a genre all of its own’, The Age saw as ‘one of the most stunning debuts of the year’, and Foxy Digitalis called ‘rich, beautiful music’. The newfound recognition Almond created for Aaron has him go on to contribute to various compilations and split releases as well as a collaboration with Dutch electronic sound artist Machinefabriek. Cello Recycling/Cello Drowning circled around Aaron’s improvised playing of his central instrument, cello, manipulated by Machinefabriek for an art installation that has also featured work from Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and Janek Schaeffer. UK label Type released the result earlier this year. With River Water, Aaron has taken a compelling step into a deeper territory of contrasting moods and introspection. River Water marks a decided shift from the work that defined Almond, and at its heart is the idea of transition itself. The sense of wonder in sound and arrangement that marks Aaron’s music is still in place, though River Water is ripe with new sensibilities that take it into an otherworldy realm. The surge and flow of these pieces stem from exotic instrumentation shaped into hypnotic reveries that can take on gradual or sudden shifts. In this strange, curious, beautiful and ever-changing emotional landscape is a look into the eye of the soul. River Water distils an intensely personal world with greater resonance and a rare passion. (Label info)