Sidings

Published: Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 5:01 am

Craven Faults' "Sidings" Delivers Hypnotic Soundscapes

A new album, "Sidings," by the enigmatic UK artist Craven Faults, offers a deep dive into the world of modular synthesis, creating a listening experience that is both immersive and disorienting. The artist, who maintains anonymity, has been honing his unique compositional approach for nearly a decade, focusing on crafting soundscapes that prioritize presence and subtle sonic shifts.

The album's tracks, such as "Stoneyman," showcase the artist's signature style: layered, repetitive figures that evolve gradually. The music is characterized by interlocking patterns of notes, shifting textures, and tones, creating a sense of time that bends and warps. Elements like piano eighths, percussive hits, and deep basslines appear and disappear, moving through the stereo field. The result is a hypnotic effect, where beginnings and endings become blurred.

Craven Faults' approach stems from a deep connection with the synthesizer itself. The artist, in a recent interview, revealed an initial attraction to the modular system for its ability to generate complex, evolving patterns. The artist's focus is on meditating on a phrase and making subtle changes, rather than composing traditional symphonies.

The artist's setup, featuring large 5U modular synth cases, contributes to the music's unique character. This format, a precursor to modern systems, produces sounds with an organic quality, even when processed with reverb and echo. The music evokes a sense of the otherworldly, reminiscent of lost Berlin School recordings or a forgotten film score.

"Sidings" is an immersive experience. The album's hour-long runtime can feel like a fleeting moment or an entire day, depending on the listener's engagement. Tracks like "Ganger" offer propulsive energy, while others, like "Drover Hole Sike," create a sense of expansion and dissipation. The sparse use of bass drums serves as anchor points within the music's vastness.

BNN's Perspective:

Craven Faults' "Sidings" is a testament to the power of experimental music. While the album's focus on subtle shifts and immersive soundscapes may not appeal to all listeners, it offers a unique and thought-provoking experience for those seeking something beyond the mainstream. The artist's dedication to the craft and the use of vintage technology create a compelling sonic world.

Keywords: Craven Faults, Sidings, modular synthesis, electronic music, ambient, experimental music, UK artist, album review, soundscapes, hypnotic, Berlin School, synthesizer, music review

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