Efterklang "Windflowers" (2021)

Windflowers

release date: Oct. 8, 2021

format: digital (9 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,64]

producer: Efterklang

label: City Slang - nationality: Denmark

6th studio album by Efterklang following two years after Altid sammen, entirely held in Danish and exclusively produced by the trio, which currently has been associated with the label City Slang.

On the predecessor, it was something completely new with lyrics in Danish only, but here they have taken the leap back to the English language. Musically, the band has always tried to push the boundaries to a stylistic expression grounded in the ambient department of electronica. Efterklang has released music with neo-classical elements, large-scale orchestral arrangements, music with a greater focus on bass and drums, and they have released music with experimental organic touch. It has always been clearly based on ambient, and that is also the case here on this one. On the other hand, it has become the English language again. And unfortunately, I'm tempted to say, because on Windflowers they no longer sound quite as unique as they beautifully succeeded with the predecessor. It's a collection of compositions with lots of music in major notes and a sense of uniformity creeps in quite quickly in all of the bright candyfloss. The music is large-scaled, with high-to-the-ceiling synthesizers and pompous arrangements, and lead singer Casper Clausen glides merrily into the sky in a hot air balloon through chamber pop pink and light blue clouds.

Sorry, but it wasn't this way, boys! After a few listens, I must state that Efterklang does not, as usual, manage to successfully explore new boundaries within the band's musical landscape. They recycle too much what they may think the world is longing for. It is without nerve, and the end result is reminiscent of a product from the cookie factory Karen Volf: too much sugar, too little originality, but in return lots of added filling.

Ikke anbefalet.

[ bandcamp ]

[ Gaffa.dk 5 / 6, The Line of Best Fit 4 / 5 stars ]

Efterklang "Altid sammen" (2019)

Altid sammen
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 ]

Efterklang "Piramida" (2012)

Piramida
release date: Sep. 24, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,66]
producer: Efterklang
label: Rumraket / 4AD Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Hollow Mountain" - 2. "Apples" - 3. "Sedna" - 4. "Told to Be Fine" - 7. "Black Summer" - 10. "Monument"

[ Trailer for the new album ]

4th studio album by Efterklang following 2½ years since the last album Magic Chairs (2010). Since that, Thomas Husmer left the band and Efterklang was then reduced to a trio consisting of vocalist and songwriter Casper Clausen, keyboardist Mads Brauer and bassist Rasmus Stolberg. German electronic musician Nils Frahm feature on tracks #1, #7, and #8.

Here the band take their style further into indie-pop territory but also explore a dream pop universe and more so leave some of the classical and art rock experiments somewhat behind. Before recording the album, the band went to the deserted arctic island of Spitsbergen, Norway, to make field recordings and by the use of senses gather up a natural source of sound structure that would eventually make a starting point and a foundation for their successive writing of songs for the album.

It's still unmistakably the sound of Efterklang with progressive song structures filled with rich organic textures and influences from ambient electronic but still with more focus on traditional song structure, and here and there (tracks #2-4, and #10) Casper Clausen makes me think of Matt Berninger of The National. I really enjoy this new-found blend of theirs and easily find it the band's so far best album.

[ allmusic.com, Under the Radar 4 / 5, 👍PopMatters 3,5 / 5, Drowned in Sound 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Efterklang "Magic Chairs" (2010)

Magic Chairs
release date: Feb. 22, 2010
format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,86]
producer: Efterklang, Gareth Jones
label: 4AD Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights 1. "Modern Drift" - 3. "I Was Playing Drums" (4AD sessions)

3rd studio album by Efterklang following 2½ years after Parades (2007) is the band's first on 4AD. The band is officially reduced to a quartet consisting of vocalist and songwriter Casper Clausen, keyboardist Mads Brauer, bassist Rasmus Stolberg, and drummer Thomas Husmer. Former member Rune Mølgaard is credited as co-composer and co-arranger of tracks #1 and #9.

Musically, this takes off almost exactly where Parades ended and sounds much like a Part 2 to that album, only this is a bit more indie pop-shaped, but I find that this one is with even lesser noteworthy highlights, thus making what should have paved way for an international breakthrough turns out as a bit of a soft landing making it the band's so far least favourable album.

[ bandcamp ]

[ allmusic.com, NME 3,5 / 5, 👍The Guardian 3 / 5, SputnikMusic 2,5 / 5 stars ]

Efterklang "Parades" (2007)

Parades
release date: Oct. 15, 2007
format: digital (11 File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: Casper Clausen, Mads Brauer
label: The Leaf Label / Rumraket - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 2. "Mirador" - 3. "Him Poe Poe"

2nd full-length album by Danish electronic, experimental and post-rock band Efterklang. Here the band is the same quintet, who released the debut album Tripper in 2004: vocalist Casper Clausen, keyboardist Mads Brauer, bassist Rasmus Stolberg, pianist Rune Mølgaard and drummer / percussionist Thomas Husmer.
The album has its focus on progressive instrumental parts with an end-result that sounds as if inspired by Sigur Ròs, Björk, Talk Talk and with some inspiration from modern classical. The album was generally met by acclaim from international music critics, but apart from the the track "Mirador" I have always found it long and without much to offer. Where Tripper sounded refreshing and bound to a form of simplicity, Parades overflows and nearly drowns in pompeous arrangements.
[ bandcamp ]
[ Mojo, Q Magazine, Uncut 4 / 5, PopMatters, NME 3,5 / 5, Drowned in Sound 5/ 5 stars ]