Cryptophasia/Orange & Black Smoke LP/Insert and Obi Strip

Description

Cryptophasia is the third album by Scottish twin brothers Andy and Mike Truscott under the name Kinbrae. Shifting their attention away from their previous landscape-focused albums, Cryptophasia allows the group to explore their twin relationship and the way it has shaped them, both individually and collectively. Reflecting their life experiences, the album addresses themes such as family dynamics, lived experiences and memories, identity, sibling rivalries, isolation, and mental health issues. An analysis of these aspects enabled the group to understand how they have supported each other over the years and to examine the evolution of their sibling relationship. In collaboration with producer and regular collaborator Ben Chatwin, the group received a Jerwood grant to experiment and improvise with new instruments and techniques. These early sketches then served to structure complete tracks. The album incorporates modular and analog synthesizers, interwoven with brass and melodies. These sounds are then developed with the use of field recordings, piano, live percussion, and bass guitar to both establish and further develop the group’s characteristic ambient and melancholic sound.