City In Rain
Gymnocal, 2026
9/10
Oslo's Glasblume make an impression with this debut that combines triphop, alternative pop and noise rock into 11 really well thought out tracks.
“Tram Sighs” opens the listen with ambient sounds before distortion and thumping drums enter alongside breathy singing, and “Nara” follows with graceful strings and emotive vocals, as the setting builds into busier bouts of melodic noise.
“Peal” and “Vertigo” arrive in the middle. The former uses minimalism in an abstract fashion, while the latter embraces a late night appeal of strategic layering and beats alongside expressive singing.
The title track arrives late and pairs the soft vocals with keys that gets pretty hectic via the purposeful, disjointed moments, and “Bitter Sun” exits with a light buzzing beneath the cinematic atmosphere of exploration and warmth.
The theme of the album surrounds 2 people’s words to each other that involve desire, as they navigate around their respective cities, and the excellent use of strings, harp, synths, guitars drum beats, toy piano and theremin keep us engaged from beginning to end.
Travels well with: A Flying Fish- El Pez Que Voló Act II; Robec- The Forest Is Too Loud