Those of you who are, like me, ultra-fans of Woods of Ypres, and all the wonderful music they produced before the premature passing of their dark beating heart, David Gold, will get this record. Which record?…you ask. This one – the latest offering from Stuttgart’s Astraya.
Entitled ‘Atropine’, this is an all-consuming, finely moulded and doomy trajectory that holds aloft the fragile vocals of classically trained frontperson Melina Abele. Like me, you may recoil slightly at the words ‘classically trained’ and prepare yourself for some sort of operatic assault where a desire to be heard overrides all emotion or meaning. This is absolutely not the case here.
I mention Woods Of Ypres because, musically, this holds the darkness and the melancholy they revealed repeatedly, as well as the more tentatively triumphant passages that indicate some miniscule victory that is, to someone, the ultimate prize. Vocally though, Abele manages to remain wholly vulnerable and breakable, yet commands that which is around her. It’s like the music mourns her, and she responds in the only way she can.
‘A Theory Of Time’ is the track I give all the stars to and, as I listen to it for the sixth or seventh time, this album continues to grow on me. This is deep, intriguing and holds the brushes….the brushes that will rhythmically paint for you…if you allow them.
Best Paired With: A bird in a cage, midnight snow fall and worn out carpets.
Reviewed by Jaff.
Astraya – Atropine is out now on These Hands Melt.
Leave a Reply