Windy and Carl, well respected guitar ambience duo, surprise us with their opening track from We Will Always Be, their first album in more than three years. After being greeted with buzz and crackle, ushering the listener to the most comfortable chair in the house, something a little unexpected happens. At the 20 second mark the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar can be heard. For the next 30 seconds the buzz and guitar gracefully set the mood. Then, surprise number two, we hear the soft voice of Windy Weber. A pleasantly surprising start to the latest addition to the lengthy Windy and Carl catalogue. The first track plays out as a stepping stone into the depths. What follows is an album of what Windy and Carl do best, dreamy dense ambience. The first track is in indication of both the personal nature of the album and the couples desire to make something more than delayed guitar drones. Following the opener we hear Remember, familiar now that it has been floating around the internet as a taster in the lead up to the release. Only this time it doesn't end abruptly at the 6 minute mark, instead it pours straight into Spires continuing the piece for another 7 minutes with subtle chord changes and slowly evolving delayed (and who knows what else) guitar tinkering. The Frost in Winter continues the mood with looped guitar melody respectfully cut off at four minutes to make way for Looking Glass a nod to the thick Windy and Carl sound we are used to. Nature of Memory keeps us afloat with its simple repeated bass line holding together the swelling distortion with the addition of soft spoken word, floating in and around the piece. The Smell of Old Books, with its swelling guitar and soft chiming pulse prepares us for the the nineteen minute closer which leaves us with guitars so delayed and reverberated they sound like church organs. Somewhere within this dreamy white cloud muffles away a melody of distortion ready to seep into your brain and slowly, piece by piece, shutdown your body. We Will Always Be is a both a demanding and rewarding listen. Luring you in with its gentle beginnings, calmly guiding you into the depths and leaving you in a dream.

Adrian Marsh