Keaton Henson is a difficult musician to talk about due to his complete distaste for self-promotion, but fortunately, his music once again speaks volumes more than a press junket ever could. While this record is only adding to an already expansive discography, Keaton seems to be striving to prove himself through honest, confident releases.
While 2016’s ‘
Kindly Now’ set a precedent for further experimentation in production, ‘
Monument’ is about as raw as music can get. With ‘
Prayer’ in particular, a soul-wrenching goodbye to his recently passed father, Keaton moulds acoustic instruments along with his haunting vocal performance to craft a soundscape that is overwhelming and greatly absorbing, providing the perfect opportunity to wallow in the grief that he has been through.
There are certainly energetic moments too; standout ‘
While I Can’ features a rich environment populated by horns, drums and guitars – this track and the most recent single, ‘
Husk’, match the melancholic vibe with some faster-moving melodies. This is not saying much though, as the overarching tone is a very slow burn towards expressing loss, played out in songs like ‘
The Grand Old Reason’ that reflect on the reality of death itself.
