Evan Brewer, of progressive metal darlings the Faceless, has never been one to follow this crowd, and that has rarely been more evident than on his debut solo album, Alone. Every sound on Alone comes from bass—no vocals, leads, or percussion. But Alone is far from one-dimensional. Brewer weaves a variety of playing styles and techniques, including snap and pop, glissando, and many more, into a cohesive and interesting whole. The songwriting is equally varied, ranging from the sunny and joyful “Currency” to the funky “Altered Perspective Two” and the Animals as Leaders–esque “Vertigo.”

With this strong songwriting packed alongside an incredibly full and rich production that allows the songs’ unique qualities to shine, Alone satisfies in a different way than other instrumental shred-fests. It’s a wholly unique disc that deserves the ear of any instrumental music fan. CLARKE READ