After three decades shaping the pop music landscape, British composer and producer Pascal Gabriel birthed his Stubbleman project in 2019, turning his attention back to his electronic and experimental roots. Following the release of Mountains and Plains, Stubbleman is gearing up to release a new album. Entitled 1:46:43 – The Ventoux Trilogy, the album is an exploration of the legendary Mont Ventoux cycling ascent, which he has transformed into a unique auditory experience. To bring the album to life, Stubbleman used real-time ride data – heart rate, speed, power, and cadence – to guide modular synth sequences, weaving together field recordings, rhythms, and melodies. Spanning 18 tracks across three movements, The Ventoux Trilogy reflects the changing landscapes of the mountain, with each piece evolving in response to the physical and emotional challenges of the climb. More than just a cycling journey, the upcoming album is a reflection on the human experience itself.
Ahead of the album’s release in June through Crammed Discs, Stubbleman has shared ‘In the Company of Oaks’, which opens the second movement, and as the press release describes, “marks the transition into a dense, towering forest, where the unyielding grey tarmac pitches sharply upward, winding through a cathedral of ancient oaks whose vaulted canopy casts dappled shadows across the road”. Mirroring the strain of the ascent, “each breath grows heavier, each movement more deliberate, as the solitude of the climb sets in”. Listen to ‘In the Company of Oaks’ below.
