The Caretaker

After his highly acclaimed LP, Persistent Repetition of Phrases, in 2008, the Caretaker (aka James Leyland Kirby) returns with An Empty Bliss Beyond This World. As the Caretaker, Kirby continues to explore the notion of memory loss and amnesia by manipulating and looping old ballroom music. His haunting executions could easily be compared to moments or feelings from Stanley Kubrik's classic The Shining, as Kirby's eerie soundtrack makes you feel like you're watching ghosts dance in grand art deco halls from the '20s. The looping and crackling vinyl pops add to the unsettling concept of being stuck in time, celebrating the same event over and over, highlighting the sadness of fading memories that comes with old age. An Empty Bliss Beyond This World is an accessible album to listen to musically, but is densely emotional and will trigger your psyche in unusual ways.