When you immerse yourself in “A Measure Of Shape And Sounds”, it quickly becomes clear: Alex Henry Foster has not only released an album, but created an entire universe in which the laws of gravity only apply to a limited extent. The very first note draws you into a vortex of guitar loops and dense soundscapes that expand and contract in a spiral like the cosmic breathing of a star shortly before collapse.

The post-rock part of the album remains like a foundation of slow-burning riffs and minimalist structures that are repeatedly overlaid by droning surfaces. It is not music that you just listen to in passing – it demands your full attention, wants to captivate you and make you reflect. Foster masterfully succeeds in interweaving intimate moments with monumental sound architecture.

Foster’s decision to record the album live gives the tracks a raw directness. You can literally feel the vibrations of the room in which the music was created – every resonance, every shimmer of the strings is noticeable. This authenticity gives the listener the feeling of being part of the creative process, of being drawn deeper into the emotional journey with every note.

And although the album is instrumental, the songs speak a clear language: it’s about self-discovery, letting go of illusions and trying to free yourself from old patterns. Foster has created less of a record for quick enjoyment, but rather a work that grows the more you get involved with it. With “A Measure Of Shape And Sounds” he proves that musical introspection can work without words – and perhaps that’s precisely why it’s so powerful.