Mark Barrott previews his forthcoming album Everything Changes, Nothing Ends with a single called Pandora. In the process he teases with a new sound that takes him even further away from his “intelligent” drum and bass roots. Opening with short cycles of chamber ensemble strings – cello, violin, and viola – the composition builds through an assortment of acoustic and electric keys into something symphonic, recalling the works of Johann Johannsson and Max Richter. A lone trumpet, by the end, has transformed into massed brass fanfares. It’s only a final Fender Rhodes solo that pulls the piece back from being full-on classical. The thing that’ll shock most people though, I’m sure, is the striking, stirring choral vocals. These are dramatic, operatic chants that could be a tribute to either Sault’s Air or Carl Orf’s Carmina Burana. Vast in ambition and execution, Mark travelled across Europe, working with orchestras and choirs. 

Since the music moves in waves, the accompanying video is perfect. Capturing a turning tide in slow motion, the visuals transporting you from a still, silvered ocean through to sea spray exploding. In closing, returning to calm, having shared some powerful, beautiful imagery and a sense of wonder. The clip’s epic nature matching the epic nature of the track.

Mark Barrott’s Pandora, and Everything Changes, Nothing Ends can be ordered directly from Bandcamp or Anjuna.