This Will Destroy You - 'Vespertine' 2xLP

Although their instruments and sound are a bit different than a lot of items in our catalog, we love This Will Destroy You at NCV for their ability to weave some of the most compelling and fulfilling, cinematic music. This is excellent music for the vinyl format.

This Will Destroy You's 'Vespertine' is one of the most subtle records in existence. Not uncommon in the post-rock landscape, patience has always paid off for fans of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, etc. Subtlety however, is not for lack of substance! A minimalist 2xLP offering, 'Vespertine' does operate similar to how a film score works: a consistent theme throughout, with explorations to various depths across each and every track. One of the most courageous things artists do is lend their talent to compliment the experience of another artform, and TWDY firmly do so on this release. A restaurant with 2 Michelin stars (like Vespertine, in Los Angeles) is setting out to create a dining "experience", much the same way This Will Destroy You sets out to make a listening "experience". Every detail is examined, as deliberate and steady hands build challenges to your senses - in both the case of the album, and the restaurant (as I can imagine). Perhaps someday we should all be lucky enough to dine at Vespertine, but until then - we can surely visit each time we spin 'Vespertine'. -NCV

Vespertine is the musical score that THIS WILL DESTROY YOU composed for Chef Jordan Kahn's 2-Michelin Star restaurant of the same name. The score originally ran exclusively at the physical site of the restaurant in Culver City, California since its grand opening in late 2017. The program consists of seven pieces specifically written for moments within the building itself (and even the space around and on top of it). The sequencing of the album is an attempt to mimic the order in which diners at Vespertine encounter different spaces throughout their experience. "Rumble" is the ever-present hum and ominous force surrounding the immediate exterior of the building. "Entrance" signifies the crossing over from the terrestrial realm into the inner atmosphere of "The Waffle" structure, where the evening begins to unfold. "Kitchen" is an warm, hospitable piece that accompanies a personal encounter with Chef Kahn. "Rooftop" and its celestially-inspired movements often pair perfectly with clear nights atop The Waffle. "Dining Room" sets the tone for a multi-course main dinner service. "Exit" is another transitional piece signifying the end of the main service and setting the stage for a supplemental experience. Finally, "Garden" welcomes diners back into a semi-terrestrial realm wherein after-dinner sweets and beverages accompany reflection upon the evening's moments, all in full view of the looming architectural monolith that is The Waffle. -PR