Earlier this year, Vlimmer (one of Berlin based muscian Alexander Donat's many musical monikers) released a five track EP, and now he is back once again, this time with Hintersommer - an album proper, bringing together ten tracks over 45 minutes. With the lyrics in German, I look to the press release that states they are about '...illness, loss, and the fear of watching loved ones fade'. Not speaking German myself, that would obviously be a bit lost on me, though the email I received did say that it was hoped the music would speak to me, even with not understanding the lyrics. As always, I have no place reviewing music, I know next to nothing about it, but shall try my best.
It begins with 'Abb. 1' that after an excellent musical intro launches into the opening track with a pounding beat and a pulsing tune. I felt this was a great way to start the album, and something that continues with the hummable 'Gleichbau' and 'Sommergesicht'; both sounding high energy and grand tunes to listen to.
After this point the album takes a downward descent in terms of energy, taking on a more isolated and frequently downbeat feel with some shoe-gaze sensibilities at times. There is 'Diskoloration' with its slight folk-horror type elements to the sound, the classic Vlimmer eighties sounding 'Firmament' and the slower sounding 'Interieur'. The speeding drum beat of 'Hirnklammer' is one last foray into a faster paced sound before 'Augenboden' and 'Ganzteil' bring things to a more reflective and introspective, though suitably dramatic finish.
It is always good to hear new Vlimmer, and Hintersommer didn't disappoint, continuing with the sound I've come to know while maintaining good music with many of the tracks getting better and better with each fresh spin.
SCORE:
No comments:
Post a Comment