Who would have guessed? ‘Music is a language of twilight,’ says Steve Tibbetts. ‘The task is to translate shadows into sound.’ That's exactly what he attempts to do with his latest album, Close, which offers almost exactly an hour of entertainment with 20 tracks.

Close is particularly interesting in terms of sound structure and mood. Tibbetts limits himself to an electric and a 12-string acoustic guitar, plus some percussion and piano. Mark Anderson is busy with percussion, gongs, handpan and loops. And JT Bates plays drums. But where are the cymbals? And the treble that is so often dominant in music?

In contrast to the mainstream, Close is extremely earthy. At the same time, it is very atmospheric. Classic song structures are missing, there are no vocals, the rhythm is an equal partner to the string sounds, and the tracks seem to flow into one another.

In a way, the music references the album cover. It feels very much like an atmospheric, relaxed contemplation of the night, a starry sky, a deserted area that has taken a break from everyday life and is instead breathing in the silence.

It is also interesting to note that practically all of the tracks are divided into several parts: We Begin, Pt. 1, 2 + 3 are included, and Away and Somewhere are structured in the same way. Everywhere – the name says it all – spans five parts, and Remember has two parts but is completed with Remember and and Remember and Wish. Only one track stands alone: the final piece, We End. This is consistent.

Close also keeps you busy in other ways sonically. While the guitars take centre stage, the percussive elements are scattered across the surface like raindrops, jumping here and there from the speakers. And the cymbals – they are actually there – whisper the occasional touch here and there. All this takes place on a deep stage, with surface, volume and space, creating an immersive experience.

Embedded in this relaxed atmosphere, Close is an album that brings this year to a peaceful close. Very fine. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Steve Tibbetts, guitar, percussion, piano
Marc Anderson, percussion, gongs, handpan, loops
JT Bates, drums