Richard Knox & Frédéric D. Oberland

Leeds lad Richard Knox is no stranger to the avant-garde scene, having recorded as half of ambient modern classical duo Glissando and as part of the more drone, minimalist group A-Sun Amissa. While on tour with Glissando, Knox met Parisian multi-instrumentalist Frédéric D. Oberland, and after a couple of pints, the idea of collaboration embedded itself in their brains. Thankfully, that idea came to fruition. Named after an arctic phenomenon, where the mingling particles of flash-frozen moisture from the breath makes a faintly discernible sound, The Rustle of the Stars is a quietly majestic work, subtly yet utterly sublime, with hints of the sinister and omnipotent peeking around the plodding piano, sorrowful strings and woozy guitar. Its overly reverberant production and fragmented nature are like listening to a symphony when you're on a long bus ride, half-asleep, drifting in and out of consciousness while catching glimpses of wonder. The Rustle of the Stars doesn't get there quickly, but the ride is well worth it.