Glacis is the musical alias for Euan Alexander Millar-McMeeken, an artist originally hailing from Dundee but now residing in Hastings, on the south coast of England. He began composing music in the late 2000s but it was in 2010, following the dissolution of his band, that his work as glacis truly took shape. Left alone with just his piano, this project became a conduit for his creativity during a solitary period. Over the years, glacis’ music has been released through several esteemed labels including Fluid Audio, Tavern Eightieth, Oscarson, and Lost Tribe Sound. Beyond his work as Glacis, he has also been involved in numerous collaborative duos, such as Gallowglas, Civic Hall, and The Dead Bell, constantly exploring different facets of his musical identity. Not to mention his work alongside the likes of Satomimagae, Adrian Lane and soon, Polaroid Notes.

Glacis' music is deeply personal and often born from immediacy—a necessity when creating amidst the constant presence of his children. However, since the summer of last year, he’s been able to dedicate more time to his craft, allowing for a more deliberate creative process, whether at the piano or his laptop. His influences are eclectic, with his listening habits varying depending on the nature of his current work.
‘This Darkness From Which We Cannot Run’ encapsulates a unique moment in Euan’s life, where the serenity of a peaceful week in Tighnabruaich contrasted with the darkness of the broader period in which it was created. Characterised by themes of sea, silence, and regret, this album diverges from his earlier work by stepping away from his trusty piano. Except for one track, the compositions were developed using software, originating from sketches made at a kitchen table during the holiday and later refined upon his return to London.

The creation of this album was deeply influenced by the calmness and isolation of Tighnabruaich, a place where Euan found solace amidst the surrounding sea and silence. The memories of watching gannets dive and experiencing a rare tranquility with his family permeate the music, providing a stark contrast to the underlying darkness he was experiencing at the time. Although there is no explicit concept driving the album, it is inherently tied to that week and the feelings it evoked. Notably, ‘This Darkness From Which We Cannot Run’ marks a significant shift in Glacis' approach, focusing on creating soundscapes rather than relying on his piano, a method that will continue to evolve in his future work

Credits:
Written and produced by Euan Alexander Millar-McMeeken
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by George Korunov
Art and design by Andrew Heath

This Darkness From Which We Cannot Run

wlr171 Glacis - This Darkness From Which We Cannot Run

Whitelabrecs was set up by Harry Towell in late 2015 as another outlet to put out experimental electronic/acoustic music. It followed Harry’s previous labels Audio Gourmet, Tessellate and Warehouse Decay and focuses on a collectable series of highly limited edition vinyl-effect CDr packaging, with the first 50 releases influenced by white label vinyl records. The label also runs a digital only series called eRecords, with each of these releases including a special PDF booklet.

https://www.whitelabrecs.com
https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com/