“Empty Pages,” the latest single from Robert Ascroft, features a captivating collaboration with Zumi Rosow (The Black Lips), blending delicate yet engaging moods reminiscent of the Velvet Underground. Rosow’s haunting vocal melody drifts effortlessly over layers of guitar fuzz, creating an arrangement that builds in intensity towards the end, striking a balance between fragility and energy.
Ascroft, renowned for his work as a director and photographer, continues to explore his musical talents with this release. A classically trained guitarist turned music producer, he brings a cinematic sensibility to his compositions. “Empty Pages” follows his earlier collaborative track “Faded Photograph” with Ruth Radelet (Chromatics), continuing his journey of fusing visual and auditory storytelling.
The drumming on the track, performed by Derek James, echoes the minimalist style of Mo Tucker—a shared influence between Ascroft and James—adding a rhythmic foundation that complements the ethereal atmosphere. With its nostalgic nods to the Lower East Side in the ‘70s and a visually striking music video inspired by ‘90s Italian Vogue, “Empty Pages” is an evocative piece that showcases Ascroft’s expanding creative horizons.