A release which understands just how much what is not played matters, the International Anthem debut from Macie Stewart, When the Distance is Blue, is absolutely essential listening. The multi-talented musician (Ohmme, etc.) here unveils a record which spans new classical and ambient forms, while reveling in the stillness between musical gestures.
Opener "I Forget How To Remember My Dreams" is one of many tracks here which beneifts enormously from the precise cello-lines from contributor Lia Kohl. Her instrument anchors the eerie "Murmuration/Memorization", a gem here. Elsehwere, "Spring Becomes You, Spring Becomes New" has prepared piano which sounds like gamelan. The elegance of the piece is a result of the austerity of the presentation. Stewart wisely takes a measured approach here, one where each note, or musical cue is left to sort of linger in the air. Stewart, Kohl, and Whitney Johnson (viola) and Zach Moore (bass) all deserve credit for the approach taken on When the Distance is Blue. It proceeds with a jazz-like sense of intuitive musicality, and still allows a listener space to consider things, reckon with the momentum of the music as it moves forward, and understand the decisions of each piece.
What Macie Stewart understands so well is stillness. The precision of every single selection here is impressive, and a number like "Stairwell (Before and After)", to use one clear example, earns comparison to the best material from Harold Budd. There's beauty in this record, and it is quite simply a stunner. Something so simple, direct, and unaffected should be appreciated and celebrated. This is highly recommended.
When the Distance is Blue by Macie Stewart is out now via International Anthem.
[Photo: Shannon Marks]