release date: Sep. 20, 2019
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Efterklang
label: Rumraket / 4AD Records - nationality: Danmark
Track highlights: 1. "Vi er uendelig" - 2. "Supertanker" - 4. "I dine øjne" - 5. "Hænder der åbner sig" - 6. "Verden forsvinder" - 8. "Havet løfter sig" - 9. "Hold mine hænder"
5th studio album by Danish band Efterklang follows seven whole years after Piramida (2012). In the meantime the band released the live-album The Piramida Concert (2013), made with Copenhagen Phil [The Philharmonic Orchestra of Copenhagen] - much to the same formula they previously did with Performing Parades (2009) in company by The Danish National Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, they have as 'Efterklang / Fundal' released The Colour of Falling (2016) as a collaborative project with Danish composer Kasper Fundal. Also of 2016, Efterklang founded the side-project Liima in collaboration with Finish drummer Tatu Rönkkö, and shortly after they released their debut ii (2016). The following year saw Liima's follow-up 1982. So, to speak of a hiatus is not really the issue, although, seven years may seem like a long period in between studio releases from Efterklang.
The trio remains intact on Altid sammen, which is the band's first with a Danish title and also with lyrics in Danish. Musically, they explore new terrain - much as usual. It appears to be a premise they feel comfortable with, and it's something they have applied to all releases throughout their career in what seems like an attempt to investigate new ways to create 'natural music'. On this, they have tuned down on the more orchestral arrangements thus creating their so far boldest ambient dream pop release. Actually, it's quite fulfilling listening to Casper Clausen singing in Danish, and if he on Piramida sounded a wee bit too much as Matt Berninger (The National), then you might get the idea that someone else has taken over as lead vocalist on this one, as he now sings with a higher pitch. Compared to previous albums, Altid sammen isn't an album following a formula with contenders to compositions like "Mirador", "Hollow Mountain", or "Monument" which almost came with a label saying: 'single'. On the other hand the album here appears, in my mind, as their most coherent studio album where several compositions just overflow with lusciousness.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Exclaim! 4 / 5 stars ]
