Obverse
hfn, 2019
8/10
The esteemed Danish multi-instrumentalist Trentemoller returns with his 5th album of electronic prowess, where each tune flows into another as he wrote, recorded and mixed the entire affair.
“Cold Comfort” starts the listen with 8+ minutes of sonically engaging, busy and dense instrumentation along with soaring vocal work, and “Church Of Trees” follows with fuzzy, restrained sounds and manipulated synth.
Further along, “Foggy Figures” keeps the setting calm and mysterious with plenty of playful sounds, while “Trnt” unfolds with a highly artistic approach to its strategic ideas.
Late in the listen, “Sleeper”, one of the album’s best, takes a cathartic approach with a chilling atmosphere and dreamy moments that bring in vocals, and “Giants” exits the affair with a minimalist approach that’s as intricate as it is deliberate.
Often a beautiful display of massive skill, there’s also abrasive moments of controlled chaos as Trentemoller manipulates his art meticulously around dream-pop, synth-rock and cinematic sprawls of intrigue on this compelling collection.
Travels well with: Steve Bug- Noir; Kasper Bjorke- After Forever