Scott Walker’s The Drift will get under your skin

Scott Walker's 2006 album, *The Drift*, leaves a lasting impression on listeners. The unsettling and bizarre nature of the album makes it an ideal soundtrack to dampen a party's mood. Walker's discography typically falls into two categories: upbeat, sometimes humorous tracks like "The Monster Mash" and "Halloween Theme," and the deeply unsettling, including *The Drift*.

This particularly grim album is centered around themes of death, disease, and tragedy. Walker doesn't shy away from exploring these topics from a visceral perspective. Lyrics delve into dark subjects such as the execution of Benito Mussolini, his mistress Clara Petacci, 9/11, his own stillborn twin brother, and the Srebrenica genocide.

The experimental production style of *The Drift* adds to its haunting atmosphere. The music ranges from seasick guitars to dissonant strings that drone oppressively, creating an unsettling backdrop. Tracks like "Jesse" open with low-bitrate MP3 noise that can leave a lasting impression on your jaw. Another track, "Clara," features the eerie sound of a percussionist punching a pig carcass.

*Stereo* Walker's *The Drift* is far from enjoyable in the traditional sense. Some songs and performances are hauntingly beautiful, causing shivers down your spine or sending goosebumps across your skin. However, the overall experience is more discomforting than enjoyable. Each song may start out normal, but it can quickly take a turn for the worse, leaving listeners with an involuntary physical reaction - shudders rather than shivers.

Unfortunately, the album's unsettling qualities make it difficult to listen to in one sitting unless you're in the right mood.

Despite its challenging nature, *The Drift* is available on Bandcamp and most major streaming services, including YouTube Music, Apple Music, Qobuz, Deezer, and Spotify.