Year
Of Glad – Old Growth (Vox Humana Records)
LP
/ DL
Out
Now
8
/ 10
Experimental drone/folk act release their new
album.
‘Dramatic’ is one of many words that could
describe the new album from Year Of Glad.
With obvious comparisons to the mighty Sigur Ros, Old Growth holds its
own against any parallels and establishes itself as one fine album.
Led by A.P. Bergeron, the Montreal based
collective originally self-released the album back in 2014 to widespread and
deserved critical acclaim, now remixed the album is available on UK release and
is once again setting the reviewer flame alight.
Album opener, Deth is a powerful prelude to the
ensuing six tracks album. It soars,
creating massive desolate soundscapes and expansive imaginings as the near instrumental
builds on doom and psychedelia influences.
Blending seamlessly into Gorge, the theme continues albeit on a subtler
level where a more droning feel takes shape.
Prolonged notes shimmer to and fro as the childhood memories of
Bergeron’s Nova Scotia seem all to evident – dereliction, abandonment and
emptiness.
With the title track, a clear Peter Gabriel influence
emerges, no bad thing, in fact the elevated vocals add an enormous supremacy to
the piece at the same time as projecting a warmth and close sensitivity. Like much else on the album, it is dramatic
and pours with emotion and sentiment.
Album highlight, Blythe also conveys incredible
feeling and the almost withdrawn vocals become the main focal point. Impressive electronica, a towering choir and artificial
orchestra also combine to make a quite amazing centre section to the
track.
Closers, Canon and Swim take on a progressive
feel, but only a small enough of a hint to keep it interesting and void of
slumber. A repetitive shimmering hook to
Canon allows it to act as almost a connection rather than a track in its own
right. Swim glides through peaks and
troughs of mellow and uplifting sounds and voices providing a fitting end to a
well-worked and striking album.
Links
Vox Humana Records
Year Of Glad on Bandcamp
Year Of Glad o Twitter
Year Of Glad on Facebook
Real World album review
Published on Louder Than War 16/12/15 - here
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