Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith has released a new studio album, “Ruin: It’s Not Just Music,” via her own label Someone Special. The record follows four singles released over the summer, starting with “Ruin” in May and continuing with “GTP,” “I Don’t Know What It Is” and “That Is Like You” in September. It is available now digitally, on streaming services and on vinyl.
According to the announcement, the album incorporates breakbeat, jungle and drum and bass influences into Smith’s established compositional style, marking a more rhythm-driven and physical direction than her earlier ambient and orchestral work. Smith describes the project as built around tension and release, calling it in the announcement a form of “sonic combat” intended to create space for catharsis rather than meditative calm.
The release follows a run of live appearances including an orchestral performance at the Barbican, an appearance at Four Tet’s Finsbury Park show and a slot at Björk’s Iceland Echolalia Festival. Smith has upcoming performances scheduled at ATOMIKA Festival in New Mexico, Warehouse Project in Manchester, Berghain in Berlin and fabric in London. Her past collaborators include Patti Smith, Suzanne Ciani, Danny Elfman, Tycho, Caribou and Four Tet, and her work has appeared in projects for Apple, Chanel and the BBC Orchestra, according to the announcement.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Neil Bainbridge, neighbourhoodpr.com.