EXTNDDNTWRK - Albus

EXTNDDNTWRK is the enduring solo project of Andrew Fearn, who is more commonly recognised as one half of Sleaford Mods. While akin to his role in his main group with respect to primarily working with electronic sounds, samples and rhythms, EXTNDDNTWRK is a far more mannered affair whose approach is concerned with atmospherics, occasional tempered beats perfect for a late night drive along a deserted motorway, near-ambient swerves into neo-minimalism, crisp melodies and big grooves swollen with the kinda moody sickness fever dreams are made of.

Ultimately, there’s a strong soundtrack-ish angle to EXTNDDNTWRK’s instrumentals that almost command cinematic accompaniment, but what strikes us the most at Fourth Dimension since the last time Andrew graced us with a release (and there have been a few over the years since the label released several editions of Sleaford Mods’ highly lauded ‘Jolly Fucker’ 7” back in 2014) is the sheer maturity to each of the nine songs that constitute Albus. Together, they illustrate an artist clearly at the top of his game in a home studio setting as much as when he’s working up a sweat on stage and inadvertently proving he’s got more energy than most of those half his age.

Over these nine cuts, EXTNDDNTWRK has successfully refined an approach to such music to the point it not only sounds entirely his own but shines a light to future paths Andrew could take this on.