"Ruins was made in Aljezur, Portugal in 2011 on a residency set up by Galeria Zé dos Bois. I recorded everything there except the last song, which I did at mother's house in 2004. Iʼm still surprised by what I wound up with. It was the first time I'd sat still for a few years; processed a lot of political anger and emotional garbage. Recorded pretty simply, with a portable 4-track, Sony stereo mic and an upright piano. When I wasnʼt recording songs I was hiking several miles to the beach. The path wound through the ruins of several old estates and a small village. The album is a document. A nod to that daily walk. Failed structures. Living in the remains of love. I left the songs the way they came (microwave beep from when power went out after a storm); I hope that the album bears some resemblance to the place that I was in." — Liz Harris

Grouper aka Liz Harris has always managed to captivate audiences with her unique voice allowing her releases never go unnoticed and "Ruins" is no different. It features truly quiet, trembling vocals which resemble her previous work whilst what differentiates these are the breathless shaken syllables that come out like secrets. The closing track 'Made of Air', recorded 10 years ago, is one of Harris' most daring and ambitious tracks yet allowing the album to close off into a dream-like setting.