We first heard the music of Vancouver-based pianist Nathan Shubert on Official Piano Day 2016, when he released his “Saga Norén, Länskrim, Malmö”, including a live studio video.

Later this month, Shubert releases Folds, his debut full-length solo album of original modern classical music. With a rich history of making music in Vancouver (including collaborations with No Sinner, David Newberry, Jody Glenham, Lydia Hol and Minto), Shubert steps into the solo spotlight.

There’s an appealing subtlety to Folds, a muted chain of pieces that wavers between improvisation and a feeling of familiarity. “Expressive and accessible, Nathan wrote these pieces purely for the pleasure and beauty inherent in them, not as exercises in composerly rigor or pianistic dexterity. Free of external meanings, the pieces take on their own deeply implicit, wordless significance. These pieces became Folds.”

The album is released for streaming and CD on January 27, with an release show the following evening at Vancouver’s Merge, 9pm PT. Admission is $10, or pay-what-you-can.

Stay in the loop by following Nathan Shubert on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a short glimpse of Folds, check out the trailer below.