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Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan

Appendix I

Label: Castles in Space

Format: CD

Genre: Electronic

Out of stock

Appendix I brings together three Warrington-Runcorn EPs onto CD for the first time. Comprising Building A New Town, A Shared Sense Of Purpose and Overspill Estates, this CD brings together some of the more esoteric elements of the world of Musical New Town Planning.

Opening up a fresh chapter in the evolving soundscape of British electronica, Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan delivers Appendix I, a curated collection that capitalizes on the atmospheric and conceptual strengths that have steadily distinguished Gordon Chapman-Fox’s work. Far from resting on the laurels of synth nostalgia, this release delves deep into the intersection of modern hauntology and communal memory, layering folk elements drawn from Building A New Town with the evocative, urban melancholy found in A Shared Sense Of Purposeand the exploratory tracks of Overspill Estates. The resulting compilation showcases how Chapman-Fox’s thematic choices—urban transformation, community, and reverberating infrastructure—shape the project’s sonic identity, rendering Appendix I both a study and a celebration of public and private spaces.

Chapman-Fox’s signature style here leans toward textured contrasts, where guitar motifs recall a late-‘60s and early-‘70s folk sensibility, while vintage synthesizers anchor the work in cinematic electronica. This gives Appendix I a sense of psychological layering, where tracks shimmer with both the promise and threat of urban planning—a motif reflected in track titles such as “All Mod Cons,” “Open Green Spaces,” and “The People Of The Town.” Instead of glorifying the past, there’s a restrained exploration of nostalgia, counterbalanced by an understated political edge that questions the outcomes of post-war consensus and the current state of public services. Chapman-Fox's reflections on “the demise of the post-war consensus” and unsparing critique of privatisation suffuse the album’s mood, keeping the music grounded in genuine social commentary rather than mere retro-stylization.​

The compilation benefits from its live roots, as several tracks were shaped by Chapman-Fox’s performances over the last year, infusing the music with rawness and an almost danceable energy that never overpowers its ambience. There’s continuity in the project’s journey, yet Appendix I stands alone in its ability to bridge optimistic beginnings with post-industrial uncertainty. The inclusion of versions and remixes, such as Vince Clarke’s contributions, adds dimension and perspective rather than simple variation, allowing each piece to both echo and transcend its original context.​

Details
Cat. number: CiS197
Year: 2025