Scott Walker’s The Drift pairs harrowing themes with abrasive sound
Scott Walker’s 2006 album *The Drift* is presented as an unusually unsettling record, exploring death, disease and tragedy through stark lyrics and experimental sound. Its mix of disturbing subject matter and abrasive arrangements makes it a challenging listen, but the review says its striking performances can also be rewarding.
The songs refer to the hanging of Benito Mussolini and Clara Petacci, the 9/11 attacks, Walker’s stillborn twin brother and the Srebrenica genocide. Dissonant strings, abrupt silences, mechanical noise and animal sounds shape the album’s sound; one track is said to include percussion made by punching a pig carcass. The album is available on Bandcamp and major streaming services.
In short
- *The Drift* pairs traumatic subjects with abrasive experimental music.
- The album can be difficult to hear in one sitting.
- Its unsettling performances may reward patient listeners.
Explained simply
Scott Walker was an American-born singer and songwriter who first became famous in the 1960s as a member of the Walker Brothers, then developed a more experimental solo career. The Drift, released in 2006, belongs to that later period, when his music moved away from conventional pop songs.
The album draws on real events and personal loss, including the deaths of Benito Mussolini and Clara Petacci, the 9/11 attacks and the Srebrenica genocide. Its unsettling sound uses dissonant strings, sudden silences and unusual noises, making it part of a body of work that tests the boundaries of popular music.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Scott Walker’s The Drift will get under your skin”.