Forest Swords

Forest Swords

Forest Swords is the project of English producer, composer and DJ Matthew Barnes, from the Wirral in the United Kingdom. His music brings together experimental electronic production with ambient, instrumental, post-industrial, deconstructed club and related influences, and is also described as drawing on jagged hip-hop and R&B rhythms, looping guitar lines and manipulated samples. The sound is linked in description to the landscape of the Wirral and to the musical history of Liverpool.

Releases and recognition

Forest Swords first gains wide attention with the studio EP Dagger Paths, which appears in 2010 and receives strong critical response despite its short format. It is named FACT Magazine’s album of the year, placed at number 48 in Pitchfork’s year-end list, described by NME as one of the year’s finest underground records, and selected by The Guardian as a hidden gem of the year.

After a period of silence, the track “Thor’s Stone” appears in 2013 and draws broad online coverage. The debut album Engravings follows later in 2013 on Tri Angle Records and receives very positive reviews, including Pitchfork’s Best New Music designation and a 4.5/5 review from Resident Advisor. It also appears on several year-end best albums lists, including placements from Stereogum, Wire, Pitchfork, Clash, Dummy and Tiny Mix Tapes.

Context

Forest Swords is also discussed alongside a group of producers and composer-artists that includes James Blake, Mount Kimbie, Bon Iver, Burial and Four Tet.