Since the demise of his previous band Ultimate Painting, Jack Cooper – under his Modern Nature guise – has never stopped looking ahead, exploring, and reaching for something further. Since 2019, he’s released an EP, mini album Annual, one full length LP, one 7” and three live cassettes – in the process mapping out astonishing new terrain. Island Of Noise presents an obvious new peak in his discography. “Mesmerising... A treasure trove of interesting musical ideas, as well as a source of restorative solace.” The Guardian – 4 stars **** “On Island Of Noise Modern Nature’s Jack Cooper folds together much of what he’s already done – illuminated pop, exploratory improvisations, post-Canterbury prog – and locates a common thread, expanding outwards with the help of free-music pioneers saxophonist Evan Parker and bassist John Edwards.” Uncut – 9/10 “Jack Cooper captures a sense of mystery and magic on his second album as Modern Nature, using gentle folk rock as the base for a subtle evocation of peacefulness.” The Times – 4 stars ****

Jack Cooper has moved away from the indie sounds of his former band, Ultimate Painting, to defy all genres in Modern Nature with breathy folk vocals and free jazz rock instrumentation with plenty of wonderful weirdness. The levels of creativity are unsurprising with this line-up, for example violin innovator (and genius) Alison Cotton was part of the mix on this record.

FFO: Garcia Peoples, Mega Bog, Talk Talk, Mark Hollis.

By Martha