Nuove navigazioni attendono Andrew Mitchell - in arte noto come Wasylyk - già all'inizio del 2023, dopo aver da poco concluso una perigliosa serie di concerti con un fido equipaggio di sette elementi al suo fianco. Il suo nuovo album, Hearing The Water Before Seeing The Falls, ispirato al lavoro del fotografo americano Thomas Joshua Cooper sui disastri ambientali che incombono su alcune meravigliose località bagnate - e in futuro sommerse, c'è da temere - dall'Oceano Atlantico è a detta di alcuni uno dei lasciti più garbati e struggenti del disgraziato anno che ora volge al termine.
Hearing The Water Before Seeing The Falls sees the Scottish composer and producer reach for new ground, finding quietly sublime imagery in rich and immersive worlds; horizon-less oceans and limitless landscapes. The initial seed of inspiration for this work was conceived as a commissioned response to ‘The World’s Edge’ exhibition, by American contemporary landscape photographer Thomas Joshua Cooper, at the National Galleries of Scotland. Andrew journeyed with Cooper to Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth to learn of the artist’s practice. Specifically, his three decades of travel across five continents, capturing cardinal points and extreme locations surrounding the Atlantic Ocean. Many of which will be under water within 35 years as a result of the impact of our changing climate. From the deep allure of the sea to the symbolism and folklore of flowers, a dreaming to leave or a longing to stay, Hearing The Water Before Seeing The Falls utilises the ideas behind TJC’s work as a point of departure. Exploring outwardly in search of a better understanding within, themes of longing, self-discovery, new parenthood and premonitions weave through a Wasylyk album of melodic succour.