Following tours with post rock band God Is An Astronaut and Wardruna, sound designer and musician Jo Quail is preparing to release her seventh album on 12th September. Prior to its release, a digital single ‘Rex’ has been shared, and its the ultimate slow burner.

Minimalist drones from a cello set a dark atmosphere in place, and Quail uses these to pull in her audience very slowly. After a couple of minutes, lighter toned strings take centre stage and the growing melodies start to play like a film score for something yet to exist. These atmospheres genuinely take the listener to another place, right until the point where reverbed noises draw a little influence from ambient electronica. The ambling melodies continue to grow, but seemingly aren’t in a rush to reach any kind of climax. Assuming you’ve already found a way in to the sound, that’s absolutely fine, of course, as the crossover between film score and ambient backdrop here is marvellous. Finally, at around six and a half minutes into a soundscape that runs to almost a full ten minutes, the listener is jolted into life by a couple of distorted guitar chords, which very gradually add a post rock tone to the sprawling arrangement. Then, seemingly fading out as unobtrusively as it first appeared, the track leaves the listener hanging, but at the same time, appears to recognise a job well done. Really pushing the envelope for single release, this will certainly appeal to those with arty tastes.

Take a listen below.