We welcome everyone into the new year with Corwin Trails' self-titled EP release. His crafty mixture of down-tempo and cut up vocals, creates obscure narratives that are embraced by tones rich in timbre.

Corwin Trails is an odd mixture of ambient down-tempo with storytelling. This self-titled EP release from Samuel Vandiver incorporates a narrative element in each track that is blanketed with rich, smooth melodic phrases. Buried underneath these surreal landscapes are cut up samples of anything from children's stories to philosophy lectures.

"Hakim Bay" is first to stand out with remarkable rhythms and percussion uniquely distorted, tampered and dismantled. Each following track is well defined in itself and produces an unique emotional impact, sometimes triumphant and other times melancholic. The playful melodies and vocals of "Icicle" create a nostalgic mood and are delivered atop tattered mischievous drones.

The sound of Corwin Trails is inventive, distinctive and sometimes unusual, subsequently he is a welcomed addition to Archaic Horizon.