Once again I find myself opening a review by talking about the convoluted and surprising course the artist has plotted to get to this place. Simon Scott is probably most famous for having been the drummer in shoegazers Slowdive in the early 90s. Since then his creative explorations have taken him in several new directions, taking a lead role in the bands Televise and Seavault, stewarding the fine Keshhhhh label, and now launching his debut solo release for the ever-essential Miasmah label (which is captained by Erik Skodvin). And while this is a denser and less composed-sounding release than most on Miasmah, it has that haunted cinematic feel to it typical to the label.

That sound probably arises from Scott’s inspiration for the record: his grandfather’s job as a submarine officer. From ethereal opener “Introduction of Cambridge”, the record is built up in layers of reverb guitar, violin, cello, sitar and flute until it is claustrophobic. The sludgy distortion of “Repulse” sounds like it is being transmitted through miles of dark and murky waters, while the muffled beats and scarred soundscapes of “Flood Inn” even come close to the doomy oppressiveness of (Slowdive fans, no doubt) Dalek. As is often the case on Miasmah, strange and unrecognisable field recordings seep into this mix, resulting in the ominous clanking and scrabbling of “Derelict Days”. On “The ACC” a nagging guitar line and a muffled vocal anchor themselves to a pulsing looped rhythm and for the briefest of moments you find yourself transported back to the mid 90s, before the track begins to splinter, becoming a wreck of ghostly crackle and rumbling echo.

Navigare is another masterful addition to their catalogue: Miasmah rules the (air)waves.