Valesa
Apollon, 2022
9/10
The 7 piece Major Parkinson return with unique brand of progressive synth-rock, where more pop influences are present across the 17 tracks.
“Goodbye Blue Monday” opens the listen with an atmospheric landscape of background noises, and “Behind The Next Door” segues into deep vocals from Jon Ivar Kollbotn to complement Lars Christian Bjørknes’ mysterious synth and piano, as well as Sondre Veland’s thumping drums.
Deeper into the listen, “Sadlands” pairs Kollbotn’s expressive vocals and piano with Bjarne Tresnes Sørensen’s harmonica in the emotive landscape, while “Jonah”, the album’s best, brings violin, cello, sax, guitars and several voices to the soaring and precisely textured prog-rock perfection.
Further yet, “Posh-Apocalypse” finds itself in quirky, ‘80s territory with its bright and playful synth fueled climate, and “Heroes” exits with Peri Winkle’s pretty pipes alongside Kollbotn’s cryptic storytelling, as synth and piano guide the mesmerizing finish.
A listen that might bring to mind bands like Arcade Fire or Cardiacs, Major Parkinson cover alt-rock, pop, prog, and a very advanced version of chamber sounds across this fascinating and really memorable adventure.
Travels well with: Pogo Pops- Daylight; Frank Hammersland- Atlantis