Imperfect Silence
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The Montreal prog-rock outfit, Enigmatic Sound Machines, are back with a 3rd album, where the 8 songs unfold with much attention to detail from the 2 members, Jeremie Arrobas and Thomas Szirmay.
“In Perfect Silence” starts the listen with a warm ambience that’s cinematic and pretty at times, and “The Distance Between Here And Now” follows with a hint of mystery surrounding the adventurous synth, dense drums and warm vocal effects.
“Wrapped In Black” and “Hallow” land in the middle. The former drones a bit before intimacy and beauty enters the dreamy keys, while the latter is a stylish and rhythmic moment that recruits grooves in spades.
Near the end, “Endless Beginning” makes great use of animated sax amid the firm gestures and soft singing, and “Red Forest” exits with a gentle and melodic version of prog-sounds that are heartfelt.
Both Arrobas and Szirmay have excellent resumes, and the use of sax, flute and mellotron adds even more appeal to their jazz, electronic and fusion fueled version of prog-rock that makes an indelible impression.
Travels well with: PryZme- True Stories… And Other Lies; Hoopy Frood- Mostly Harmless