Sam Shepherd, better known by his musical alias Floating Points, is set to release Cascade, a new solo album that promises to push the boundaries of electronic music once again. Shepherd, who has built a reputation for his meditative and intricate electronic compositions, last made waves in 2021 with Promises, a deeply moving collaborative album with jazz legend Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra. Promises was an instant classic, lauded for its seamless blend of jazz, classical, and electronic elements, and it resonated as a final masterpiece from Sanders, who passed away in 2022.
With Cascade, Floating Points embarks on a new journey, this time solo, but still marked by his signature mix of experimentation and emotional depth. The album features a series of tracks that highlight Shepherd’s ability to create complex soundscapes that evolve and shift, capturing the listener’s attention with each transformation. Among the tracks already released are “Birth4000,” “Del Oro,” and “Key103,” which have set a promising tone for what’s to come.
The latest track unveiled from Cascade is “Ocotillo,” an almost nine-minute instrumental that showcases Shepherd’s mastery of atmosphere and rhythm. The title “Ocotillo” refers to a desert shrub, which seems fitting given the track’s expansive and somewhat arid soundscape. The piece begins with a sparse, ambient texture that gradually blossoms into something more intricate and intense. This shift from starkness to energy mirrors the harsh beauty of a desert landscape, where life emerges in unexpected and striking ways.
A particularly interesting aspect of “Ocotillo” is the subtle involvement of Austrian-Ethiopian harpist Miriam Adefris, who previously collaborated with Floating Points on his score for the ballet Mere Mortals. Adefris’ harp is present on the track, but its sounds are so deeply integrated and processed that it’s almost impossible to identify them outright. This integration reflects Shepherd’s skill in merging organic and electronic elements, blurring the lines between what’s played by a human and what’s generated by a machine.
As “Ocotillo” progresses, it evolves from its initial ambient form into something more dynamic. Shepherd introduces jittery, staccato beats that nod to footwork, a genre known for its rapid, syncopated rhythms. This shift is emblematic of Floating Points’ ability to traverse genres fluidly, moving from serene soundscapes to nervous, danceable beats without losing cohesion. By the time the track concludes, it’s clear that Shepherd is as comfortable in the club as he is in the concert hall.
Cascade is shaping up to be another fascinating chapter in Floating Points’ discography. While it follows the meditative and collaborative heights of Promises, it also marks a return to the solo exploration that has always been central to Shepherd’s work. The tracks released so far, including the recent “Ocotillo,” suggest that this album will continue Floating Points’ tradition of crafting music that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant.
As listeners anticipate the full release of Cascade, it’s clear that Sam Shepherd remains one of the most innovative voices in contemporary electronic music. With each new track, Floating Points invites us into a world of sound that feels boundless, where every detail is meticulously crafted yet brimming with spontaneity. Whether exploring the calm depths of ambience or the frenetic energy of footwork-inspired rhythms, Cascade is poised to be an album that rewards both deep listening and movement, solidifying Floating Points’ place at the forefront of modern music.