Empress

Released in 2017, this self-titled EP by the Australian band Empress (not to be confused with the UK metal band of the same name) is a definitive statement in modern slowcore. Spanning six tracks over nearly 40 minutes, the album leans heavily into the long-form structures typical of post-rock while maintaining the minimalist aesthetic of bands like Low or Duster. The recording is characterized by its extreme use of negative space and patient, incremental builds. Tracks like 'Disappear' showcase the band's ability to sustain tension over nine minutes with little more than a repeating guitar motif and hushed vocal delivery. Critically, the album has been praised within underground circles for its atmospheric consistency and its ability to evoke a sense of profound isolation without becoming abrasive. It stands as a centerpiece of the 2010s slowcore revival, emphasizing texture and mood over traditional song structures.