Island Of Noise, by Modern Nature

Island Of Noise

by Modern Nature

supported by

Parksy Possibly the best band in Britain at the moment.
No other like them for me, superb stuff.

𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝 Modern Nature design soundscapes that titillate between free-jazz and folk-rock throughout the ten tracks with groovy guitars, pulsating drums, touches of sax, hints of violin and Cooper’s flawless voice. Favorite track: Build.

Alan McAdam A wonderful album 🎶 One of my best purchases in recent years, especially 'cause I bagged one of the beautiful boxsets

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£7 GBP or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
180g Recycled Vinyl
3mm Spined Sleeve printed on Recycled Board
White Paper Inner Sleeve

Includes unlimited streaming of Island Of Noise via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 5 days

Purchasable with gift card

£19.99 GBP or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of Island Of Noise via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 5 days

Purchasable with gift card

£9.99 GBP or more

1.	Tempest 02:23		buy track
2.	Dunes 03:56		buy track
3.	Performance 05:05		buy track
4.	Ariel 03:56		buy track
5.	Bluster 04:05		buy track
6.	Symmetry 01:55		buy track
7.	Masque 03:52		buy track
8.	Brigade 02:34		buy track
9.	Spell 03:28		buy track
10.	Build 06:53	info	buy track

about

Over the last 12 months, Cooper has constructed a beautiful, free-flowing box set’s worth of material featuring a new album, a separate and equally engaging instrumental interpretation of the album and an accompanying book featuring the work of wide-ranging, non-musical artists (including Booker-nominated poet Robin Robertson, mycologist Merlin Sheldrake, illustrator Sophy Hollington, and writer Richard King) that reinterpret, deconstruct or take inspiration from the 10 tracks on the record.

Island Of Noise represents an absolute career highlight, combining Cooper’s celebrated songwriting and compositional skills with a free flowing expansiveness coloured by British free music luminaries such as saxophonist Evan Parker, pianist Alexander Hawkins, bassist John Edwards and violinist Alison Cotton, as well as long term collaborators Jeff Tobias and Jim Wallis.

“Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises”

On re-reading The Tempest in 2019, Cooper was moved to write this quote on the wall of his workshop and doing so sparked the initial ideas and activity that culminated in this record. The short quote, part of a longer passage spoken by Caliban, “summed up what I was thinking about at the time, from the nature of music, noise and silence, to the chaos and confusion that seemed impossible to navigate.” says Cooper.

The rich imagery and themes of The Tempest have long been a springboard for artists, from Derek Jarman's unnerving adaptation and Sibelius’ Stormen to Jackson Pollock’s Full Fathom Five, but it was the setting of an island and the insular framework it represented that appealed as a way of elaborating on the musical and lyrical themes Modern Nature has been exploring since their first record in 2019.

“I imagined the island's landscape and how it would change and shift through the record. My guitar, Jim Wallis’ drums and John Edwards’ bass would represent a slowly evolving landscape that would provide the bedrock for the other instruments to colour. The forests, the valleys and the life would be represented by an orchestra of improvisers and classical musicians, working around certain modes and composed melodies.”

Standing in the edgelands, where the concrete meets the forest; the island's story is told through the eyes of an outsider, arriving and trying to make sense of the mystery and chaos. What do they make of the island’s systems, its customs, the inhabitants and their beliefs. How would an outsider interpret the inequality and divide? Where would they find solace, compassion and friendship?

The album was completed during a relaxation of the pandemic restrictions and for Cooper and his fellow musicians, its recording came to represent a sanctuary in itself. The feeling of freedom with which they made the record allowed for hours of improvisation and experimentation, resulting in a companion record called Island Of Silence; a more impressionistic instrumental picture of the island and its music.

Elaborating one step further, Cooper approached ten artists he felt an affinity towards (including Booker-nominated poet Robin Robertson, mycologist Merlin Sheldrake, illustrator Sophy Hollington, polymath Eugene Chadbourne and The Lark Ascending author Richard King) and asked them to reinterpret, deconstruct or take inspiration from one of the ten pieces of music for an accompanying book. Island Of Noise and Island Of Silence were both recorded on 2” tape with long-term collaborator and co-producer Ed Deegan and then cut directly to vinyl. Similar attention has been paid to the production of the book and box-set, with all of the material, including the vinyl, sourced from recycled and sustainable materials.

Cooper once said: “With every song we record or musician we gain, another door seems to open on a route that’s worth pursuing.” More than ever, this rings true on Island Of Noiseand Island Of Silence, with the musicians sharing a collective vision that builds the most cohesive and exploratory version of Modern Nature yet. Island Of Noise fits beautifully between genres sitting alongside (modern) classics like Mark Hollis’ Mark Hollis, David Sylvian’s Blemish and Bert Jansch’s Birthday Blues.

Like those, this is an album that may confound or challenge some, but will stand the test of time to those that open themselves up to Modern Nature.

Do you see it?

credits

released January 28, 2022

license

about

Modern Nature Cambridge, UK

shows

May 1

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

London, UK

contact / help

Contact Modern Nature

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Modern Nature, you may also like:

Promises
by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

supported by 101 fans who also own “Island Of Noise”

hypnotic and incredibly moving marsplutomusic
go to album
UNTITLED (Black Is)
by SAULT

supported by 95 fans who also own “Island Of Noise”

this feels important twigs
go to album
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
by Big Thief

supported by 91 fans who also own “Island Of Noise”

Choosing a favorite track for this one is honestly impossible. 9.5/10 angrypizza98
go to album
Four Singles
by Operator Music Band

Four speaker-melting singles from New York's premiere "live techno" outfit, descended from vintage synthwave, deep house, and dance punk. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 18, 2024
go to album
The Insulation EP
by Menomena

Off-kilter Portland indie rockers make an unexpected return with a tight three-track EP, their first new release in 12 years. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 18, 2024
go to album
Walk Thru Me
by The Folk Implosion

Lou Barlow & John Davis return as Folk Implosion, with 10 more songs that are sweetly tuneful. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 17, 2024
go to album
A Light for Attracting Attention
by The Smile

supported by 88 fans who also own “Island Of Noise”

this was the best decision ever made. thanks for this album! doojoux
go to album