Efrim Manuel Menuck

The first solo album from GY!BE member and Silver Mt. Zion captain Efrim Menuck is a highly personal song cycle focused thematically upon the joys and worries of new fatherhood, the pain that accompanies the passing of friends and the love one can have for their neighbourhood. Menuck's talents both as a musician and studio wizard are put on display across these eight emotive pieces. Multi-tracked vocals are accompanied by a choir of electric guitars, manipulated analogue electronics, violin (played by his partner, Jessica Moss) and a heavenly host of field recordings. The sole exception is "Heavy Calls & Hospital Blues," which is stripped bare to a lone piano and vocals, calling to mind the first Silver Mt. Zion album. The beauty of High Gospel lies in its honesty, best expressed by the artist himself: "I love my girlfriend. I love my kid. I love my friends. Amen."