Ben Frost: The Centre Cannot Hold – sounds from closer to the edge

In 2013, Frost wrote an opera inspired by Iain Banks's horror novel The Wasp Factory, and that piece of work – about depravity and isolation – can be felt in this, his exceptional new record. Earlier this year, Frost released the EP Threshold of Faith, the result of time spent with Steve Albini, and The Centre Cannot Hold, where Aphex Twin meets the best of Massive Attack, builds on that narrative. Frost explores limitations, and this work forces exciting sonic textures to emerge amid ghostly electronics on A Sharp Blow in Passing, delicate doom on Meg Ryan Eyez, playful pacing on the urgent-sounding Ionia and the carefully restrained Healthcare. Meanwhile, All That You Love Will Be Eviscerated sounds like a thousand butterflies relentlessly flapping their wings. This is a rigorous, beautiful achievement. benfrost.bandcamp.com