Helios - Caesura [LP]

Vinyl LP pressing. Originally released in 2008 on Type Recordings, Caesura by Helios aka Keith Kenniff returns in a new 2022 edition vinyl re-release, remastered by Taylor Deupree. Keith Kenniff had been with Type from the very beginning, and in the fifth year of the label he offered his fifth gorgeous release. In those five years Keith's style had evolved constantly, with his drifting piano compositions taking the Goldmund label and the Helios sound moving out from underneath the clipped beat-heavy electronics of Unomia and into a more unique place, even incorporating vocals on the Ayres mini album. Caesura however was his "proper" follow-up to the acclaimed Eingya, and has seen Keith return to the instrumental sound he knows so well. In fact, in many ways Caesura is a more electronic work than it's predecessors, blending layer upon layer of synthesizer and adding his assured drumming to come up with the perfect meeting of indie-pop and ambient music. The haunting cinematic element is still present of course, but these songs are more rounded and confident than any in Keith's career to that point. From the delicate bliss of "Hope Valley Hill" which opens up the album with gauzy nostalgia and, as the title promised, hope, through the chunky pop of "Come With Nothings" it is clear that Keith's music is as arresting as it ever was. Taking cues from the lilting indie-electronics of Ulrich Schnauss and the unfussy ambience of Brian Eno, Keith manages to inject this with his knowledge as a composer. The epic harmonies of "Backlight" for instance reveal a lightness of touch rarely heard in the genre with sweeping synthesized chords buzzing alongside Keith's signature guitar. Accompanied by more gorgeous artwork from Matthew Woodson, Caesura still is a glowing record for the winter months, and a glimmer of hope to keep the seasons at bay. First time on vinyl since it's original release in 2008.