"Filigree & Shadow" is the second album by This Mortal Coil, the collaborative project under the 4AD label led by Ivo Watts-Russell. Released in September 1986, it features a mix of artists associated with 4AD and showcases a blend of atmospheric soundscapes. The album entered the UK Independent Music chart on October 11, 1986, peaking at #2 and remaining on the chart for 16 weeks.
The album consists of 25 tracks, with 13 being instrumental, including the title track. As the first double LP released by 4AD, it introduced the "DAD" prefix to the label's catalog. Watts-Russell meticulously crafted the album's flow across its four sides, a feature somewhat diminished on the compact disc format, which condenses the entire album onto one disc.
In November 2011, a remastered and repackaged CD edition of Filigree & Shadow was released as part of a complete box set of This Mortal Coil's recordings, with the individual CD following shortly thereafter. The album is noted for its lush arrangements and ethereal vocals, continuing the project's exploration of melancholic and haunting themes.
