As high-concept statement pieces go, acclaimed composer-handpanist Manu Delago's Environ Me—the latest long-playing collection in a catalogue over a decade in the making thus far—seems about as grandiose as any might hope to find this year.
A collection of pieces designed to accentuate the dividing line and discord between human endeavour and the fragile ecosystems in which we exist, the album's eclectic instrumental palette and resourceful compositional approach set it out as a beguilingly idiosyncratic sonic prostration before the might of nature.
Considering the album's ecologically-conscious themes, it seems entirely appropriate that the coloured vinyl edition of its physical release should be pressed on recycled vinyl. Now, as veteran vinyl junkies will doubtless recall, the phrase 'recycled vinyl' used to be anathema to any discerning audiophile—to such an extent, in fact, that many high-end releases on the format (particularly those released during the '90s and '00s) boasted that they were pressed to so-called 'virgin vinyl', LPs comprised of plastic that had never before been used. Whilst it's arguable that such a tag amounted to little more than hollow hyperbole, it is certainly true that recycled vinyl once equated—more often than not, at least—to crackly playback in the case of even ostensibly flawless records in as-new condition.
Much has changed in the last decade, however, and—as this particular release ably demonstrates—recycled vinyl is no longer the budget option; it is, in fact, just as good any other form of vinyl; with, of course, the added benefit of its relative environmental-friendliness. It also looks great; colouring is likely to vary from copy to copy (essentially rendering each LP unique) but, in the case of our example, the vinyl is an attractive lilac disc replete with classy marbling in various shades. It's a handsome LP with equally impressive playback; the noise floors are low and surfaces are clean, with only a few instances of particularly negligible surface noise.
Packaged in a standard-width, non-gatefold cover, Environ Me offers the stark minimalism of its art direction on textured card that feels great in hand and that is likewise sturdy enough to feel reasonably solid. While the inclusion of a barcode printed onto the back cover would've been preferable as a sticker attached to the shrinkwrap (or, considering the album's environmental preoccupations, if the release had been sealed by means of a sticker, rather than the one—use plastic of shrinkwrap), this is overall an attractively presented release. The LP itself is found in a printed card inner sleeve that further cements the album's aesthetic concision.
A confident artistic statement of genuine conceptual weight, Environ Me certainly seems set to draw many into its fold by virtue of its sheer ambition. UK indie stalwarts One Little Independent have, in turn, offered a commendable vinyl edition with their release of this album.
