[ self ] some words

[ self ] 

some words

It’s tempting to view writing liner notes for a release by The General as a fool’s errand.

 Simply, there are more ideas going on in this 20 minute EP than in many band’s entire catalogue, so how can that be distilled into a few words? What are words worth anyway: it’s music so it should be heard, not read. Ideally, isolate yourself from all other senses and listen to -Self on the best headphones you can afford.

Dark and brooding, opening track, -Righteous shows Smith’s craft - the care which is lavished onto just over a minute (is that a fly buzzing for a few seconds?) is intense.

-Harm features vocals by Jo Nye, cleverly emphasized by an organic rhythm, and continues the moody, threatening atmosphere that characterises much of Smith’s work. Is that all there is…?

Jasper Pattison is a modern-day beat poet. -Belief is a 4am come-down: reflective; disassociated, dislocated.

Smith’s drum ‘n’ bass credentials permeate -Indulgence, before segueing effortlessly into -Actualisation with its beautifully-sloppy, late-era Faith No More vibe.

-Pity concludes this essential release and showcases Smith’s vocals which manage to be both honey-dipped and bear-gruff at the same time.

I first played Self- a week ago, just once, then left it. Today I played it four times on the bounce. Each time it ended I felt a real sense of loss: the clock which had been silent for 20 minutes started ticking; I heard movement in the house and cars in the street again. It cuts that deep. I’m happy – no, I’m ecstatic - to be the fool.

Nick Foot 2020