Album Review: The Waiting

Fear Not Want is a new project from Jeremy Graham aka J Plates, an electronic producer most well-known for his Drum & Bass output but who also dabbles in styles as diverse as House, Downtempo, and now Ambient. This carefully assembled collection boasts compelling arrangements that provide for an introspective journey and reveal a musician capable of bringing genuine warmth using a digital palette.

Opener Fallen Years is a brisk statement of intent: ever-present beds of rich, swirling keys are punctuated with moody call-and-response looping melodies, the contemplative organic texture complementing tasteful use of electronic trickery (also suggested by the stone-like, colour-manipulated cover art).

On the pulsating Helica (Vortex, Spiral In), a rotating central motif is adorned with Vangelis-esque crystalline plinking, venturing deep into the cool yet inviting analog/digital territory pioneered by Aphex Twin in his Selected Ambient Works series.

Album centrepiece The Waiting (Pt. 1) comprises layers of minor-key strings that creep down the spine, a two-note bass pattern gradually bubbling up to underpin the growing sense of unease. A playful, voice-like glitch FX emerges from the slowly shifting soundscape as if in conversation with some supernatural entity. The Waiting (Pt. 2) is a more uplifting counter to the darkness of the first part, a choir-like key arrangement with a dancing, spritely solo melody suggesting that the wait was worth it.

Space Between functions as a short interlude between the two-parter of the title track, whispering and wavering with a chilly wind blowing through sizzling static. The similarly frosty Cryosleep (Stasis) does as the name suggests, a hypnotic lullaby with an icy sheen coating deep, meditative synth washes feels like being peacefully frozen aboard some remote colony ship, or perhaps sinking into ocean depths.

Ending on a more hopeful note, ascending from the depths and into the dawn of a new day, New Light surges hopefully toward a cathartic conclusion with shimmering piano and swathes of sunshine-dappled strings.

An assured debut from a skilled producer, and an ambient journey worth taking.

Available on Bandcamp from June 12 2020.