Album Review: Silver Shadow by Slowly Rolling Camera
By Max Millar
Slowly Rolling Camera has always been an intriguing proposition—a group that blurs the lines between jazz, cinematic soundscapes, and electronica with a singular focus on mood and texture. With their fourth studio album, Silver Shadow, they’ve crafted a rich tapestry of sound that feels like the culmination of their decade-long sonic exploration. The result is a deeply immersive work, striking a balance between their cinematic tendencies and their love of jazz improvisation.
From their self-titled debut in 2014, Slowly Rolling Camera established themselves as musical alchemists, blending the warm intimacy of soulful vocals with layered electronics and expansive orchestration. As their journey unfolded, albums like All Things and Juniper saw them shedding some of the vocal elements to lean into their instrumental voice, each project reflecting a new evolution of their sound. Silver Shadow feels like a further refinement, as they push their boundaries while embracing collaborations that bring fresh perspectives.
The album opens with “Rebirth,” a pulsating piece that showcases the group’s knack for combining textural electronics with intricate jazz rhythms. It’s an immediate demonstration of the album’s collaborative strength, featuring saxophonist Josh Arcoleo, whose melodic lines thread seamlessly through the dense layers of sound. This interplay exemplifies the band’s ability to balance structure with freedom—a theme carried throughout the album.
Saxophonists have played a pivotal role in Slowly Rolling Camera’s development; the presence of Chris Potter on the standout track “The Afternoon of Human night” (2021)is both grounding and transcendent. His unmistakable tone and virtuosic phrasing elevate the track’s atmospheric core, injecting it with moments of raw, unguarded emotion. Similarly, Mark Lockheart’s contributions on “In the Shadows” provide a haunting quality, his lyrical playing effortlessly navigating the tune’s shifting moods.
What sets Silver Shadow apart from its predecessors is the way Slowly Rolling Camera integrates their collaborative spirit into the album’s DNA. Rather than featuring guest musicians as ornaments to their compositions, the group allows their collaborators to shape the music in profound ways. The dialogues between saxophone, piano, and electronics feel like conversations rather than monologues, creating an album that breathes and evolves organically.
Sonically, Silver Shadow continues Slowly Rolling Camera’s tradition of high production values, with every note and texture meticulously placed. Dave Stapleton’s lush piano lines and delicate arrangements anchor the album, while Deri Roberts’ production imbues the music with a sense of vastness. The electronic elements remain a core feature, lending a modern edge to the timeless jazz influences.
The title track, “Silver Shadow,” encapsulates the album’s essence. Built around a hypnotic groove, it gradually expands into a sweeping, cinematic piece, with layers of strings and brass folding into a powerful crescendo. The piece is emblematic of Slowly Rolling Camera’s ability to create music that is both intimate and grand in scale.
Silver Shadow isn’t just an album; it’s a journey through sound. By bringing in collaborators like Potter, Lockheart, and Arcoleo, Slowly Rolling Camera has enriched their already distinctive sound palette, achieving a rare balance of innovation and cohesion. This is music for those who crave emotional depth and artistic boldness—a testament to a band that refuses to stand still.
In an era where genres often define boundaries, Slowly Rolling Camera continues to chart their own course, and Silver Shadow is their most compelling voyage yet.
Max Millar Music 