Album of the Week: The Ruin – Elliot Galvin
A groundbreaking pianist redefining British jazz
London-based pianist Elliot Galvin is one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz, known for his boundary-pushing compositions that blur the lines between improvisation, electronic soundscapes, and classical traditions. His latest album, The Ruin, is his most personal work yet—blending acoustic piano with modular synthesisers, ethereal vocals, and deep grooves.
Galvin describes The Ruin as “the most personal album I have made to date.” The album’s concept draws inspiration from a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon poem of the same name, which describes the remains of a once-great city. This theme of decay, transformation, and renewal echoes through Galvin’s music, reflecting both the environment where he grew up (the Medway towns in England) and a broader feeling of living in a country that feels like a “living ruin.”
At the heart of The Ruin is the first phrase Galvin ever wrote down as a child, a chromatic motif that re-emerges throughout the album, acting as a thread connecting his past and present.
For The Ruin, Galvin has enlisted some of the UK jazz scene’s finest musicians:
- Shabaka Hutchings – Saxophonist from The Comet Is Coming & Sons of Kemet (featured on "Gold Bright" and "High and Wide)
- Ruth Goller – Bassist/vocalist from Dinosaur, Galvin's Mercury Prize-nominated band
- Seb Rochford – Drummer known for his work with Polar Bear, Patti Smith, and Damon Albarn
- The Ligeti String Quartet – A contemporary ensemble that adds rich textures to the record
The Press on The Ruin
- ★★★★ "Sometimes you just need some trippy music from an artist who’s painting well outside the lines in bright, bold colors… Galvin is an explorer with great vision." – Downbeat
- ★★★★★ "Alienating, dark, emotional, intense, inspiring, intriguing – at the same time mind-blowing." – Written in Music
See Elliot Galvin live at BRDCST 2025
Experience his spellbinding performance in an intimate setting at AB Club on Saturday 5 April. A must-see for fans of genre-defying jazz and experimental soundscapes.
Listen to The Ruin
The Ruin is out now via Gearbox Records. Listen here: