Field Studies

Released in 2009, Field Studies serves as a pivotal bridge in This Will Destroy You's discography, marking their departure from the 'hopeful' post-rock of Young Mountain toward the darker, more abrasive textures of Tunnel Blanket. The EP is dominated by the sprawling opener 'Brutalism and the Worship of the Machine,' which utilizes its 11-minute runtime to dismantle traditional song structures in favor of atmospheric decay. Recorded with a focus on analog warmth and tape saturation, the production creates a 'murky' sonic field that feels intentionally weathered. Critically, it was seen as a bold step away from genre tropes, embracing elements of drone and industrial music. The shorter tracks on the B-side function as vignettes, exploring specific sonic textures like processed percussion and ambient guitar loops, cementing the EP's reputation as a more cerebral, experimental entry in their catalog.