The Somnambulist

Some More Songs Lost In Themselves

Slowing, 2022

8/10

Listen to Some More Songs Lost In Themselves

The Berlin rockers The Somnambulist had attempted to record an LP, but the lockdowns due to the pandemic put a halt to that. Instead, they regrouped for these 6 diverse tunes that have Marco Bianciardi (vocals, guitar) and Leon Griese (drums) being joined by Paul Peuker on bass.

“All Strain Is Over” opens the listen with a driving, somewhat warbly version of psyche-rock that benefits much from Luca Canciello’s playful synth amid the mix of talking and singing, and “Flowers From Where You Go” follows with a dreamy spirit that’s hypnotic and full of complicated drumming alongside a rare beauty.

“Not A Song For You” and “Lametech” land in the middle, where the former is dense, dark and full of falsetto singing, and the latter welcomes alt-rock ideas into the firm, dynamic album highlight.

Near to the end, “Lowerin’ Sun” emits some glam-pop influences in the atypical landscape, and “The Freewheelers” exits with a radiant version of indie-rock that showcases the frisky bass lines quite nicely.

The first of 2 new EPs from the band, this brief listen is tense, powerful, sometimes minimal and traverses a wide spectrum of rock and pop ideas that are complicated but very accessible.

Travels well with: No Tongues- Ici; Baby Fire- Grace