Shards

Tim Hecker’s Shards is exactly what it sounds like—a scattered collection of unused music from various film projects he’s worked on over the years. And you can tell. It’s not a cohesive, carefully curated album with a grand statement; it’s more like a box of forgotten sketches, each with its own eerie, atmospheric pull. But even in this leftover-bin format, Hecker’s ability to craft dense, immersive soundscapes still shines through.

This EP feels like wandering through abandoned film sets—some tracks just hover in the background, barely registering, while others, like Sunset Key Melt, hit with that haunting, textural beauty that makes you pause. That one, in particular, feels like a glimpse into an alternate universe where these tracks weren’t just scraps but full-fledged, essential pieces of a larger vision.

That said, Shards isn’t something I’d return to often. It’s cool for what it is—a loose, exploratory collection rather than a definitive statement. If you’re a hardcore ambient/drone fan or love film scores, you’ll find some moments to sink into. But if you’re looking for another Ravedeath, 1972 or Harmony in Ultraviolet, this won’t scratch that itch. Still, for what’s essentially a B-sides project, it’s a solid listen.

TIM HECKER - SHARDS
RATING - 6.8/10

FAVORITE TRACK - Sunset Key Melt

GENRE - Ambience, Haunt, Atmospheric