There has been just one change in personnel since the 2022 debut ‘Gethenian Suite’, as double bassist Tove Brandt has been replaced by Viktor Reuter. Erik Dahl (piano, electronics) has again been joined by Anna Cochrane (violin, viola), Andreas Thurfjell (alto/baritone saxophone/clarinet), Anna Malmström (clarinet, bass clarinet) and William Soovik (drums, percussion) as they continue on their unique journey of modern chamber music combined with acoustic doom, jazz, drone, avant garde, atmospheric and so much more. This is not music to be played in the background or when handling heavy machinery as it demands to be played on headphones and takes the listener into an other worldly dream state.
It is wonderfully inventive, modern and containing so many different elements that it is constantly looking at what has been before and the possibilities of how it may move forward. The music feels alive, with plenty of space and room to get inside and rest on the staves to follow the individual threads as they develop. There are times when it is quite dynamic and avant garde freeform jazz is the order of the day, yet it never really goes the full way with some classical idioms keeping it grounded, while there are others where it is more relaxing and composed while still chasing different ideas. One can imagine Erik not only scoring the music but being in the middle of everything when it is recorded to ensure it follows exactly the path he has laid out while also giving the musicians some freedom. Although the title may lead one to think this is massively melancholic that is not the case and instead it feels emotional as opposed to plain sad, but there is no doubt this music is designed to get a reaction from those listening to it. Modern and crossing many boundaries, most notably that of prog, this is an interesting release.
Rating: 7/10
