Record Reviews

SO SLOW ~ W OTWARTE DLONIE POWIETRZE SYPIE GRUZ PRZEDSWITU AUDIO CAVE 2019/008 (Barcode: 5905669566797) ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the fourth album by Polish Alternative Rock group So SlowFind albums by this artist, which includes vocalist Michal GlowackiFind albums by this artist, who is also in charge of electronics, guitarist Daniel KryjFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam StepienFind albums by this artist and drummer Arek LerchFind albums by this artist. The former bassist of the group, Lukasz LembasFind albums by this artist, played on three of the tracks, before he was replaced by Stepien. Jazz trumpeter Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist played a solo on one of the tracks. The album presents five tracks, all collectively credited to the group´s members, with lyrics by Glowacki. The opening track is a short introduction and the remaining four tracks are extended pieces lasting on average about ten minutes each. Glowacki, Lembas and Lerch are also members of the Non Violent CommunicationFind albums by this artist quartet, which released its stunning debut album "ObserwacjeFind albums with this title" earlier this year (2019), and not surprisingly there are some musical parallels between these albums, although So Slow are definitely more Ambient / Electronic oriented and their music is dramatically less contents oriented, intended rather to serve as an imaginary soundtrack to whatever goes through the head of the listener at the time the music is playing. The electronics provide a steady "wall of sound" effect; the rhythm section supplies a steady pulsation, although attentive listening will allow the listener to hear many subtle variations. The guitar is the only source of melodic riffs, usually repeated continuously with subtle variations as well. The "vocals" are heard only well back in the background and serve more as a hint than real source of acoustic information. In total an atmosphere of mystery and tension prevails. One can only wonder how the album would have sounded if Jachna was a permanent member of the group and played for the entire duration of the music, but for the few minutes he does play here the music crosses into an entirely new dimension and becomes absolutely magical. The minimalist / monotonous background that this music is based on offers a possibility to the listener to enter a hypnotic state of total submission, which creates a unifying experience between the musicians and their audience. Personally I found it to be fascinating, but other listeners unable to "follow" might find this music eccentric and uninviting. Overall this is definitely a piece of music worth exploring and offers highly emotional, although seemingly minimalist scenery. Sadly I am not familiar with the group´s earlier recordings, which would have enabled me to offer some comments on the group´s musical path over time, but based just on just this limited glimpse, they are searching and exploring, which is already highly unusual and certainly commendable. Hoping to hear more soon!

Updated: 09/11/2019Posted: 09/11/2019

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