As If Apart

Released in 2016 on Captured Tracks, As If Apart is the second solo effort from Chris Cohen, following his acclaimed debut Overgrown Path. Cohen, formerly of The Curtains and a touring member of Deerhoof and Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, performs nearly every instrument himself, reinforcing the album's intimate, singular vision. Sonically, the record is a continuation of his exploration into 1970s-inspired soft rock and psychedelic pop, but with a more pronounced emphasis on complex, jazz-influenced arrangements and shifting time signatures that never feel academic. The recording process utilized analog equipment to achieve a 'dead' room sound reminiscent of early 70s studio productions, particularly those of artists like Robert Wyatt or Steely Dan's more restrained moments. Critically, the album was praised for its 'deceptive simplicity' and Cohen's ability to make avant-garde harmonic choices feel like effortless pop hooks. It stands as a centerpiece of the 2010s indie-pop landscape, bridging the gap between lo-fi bedroom aesthetics and high-fidelity studio craftsmanship.