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Compared to their previous albums, the music on the concept-album “Lost in the Swamp” takes on a much spherical, lyrical and introspective approach, although the strong vintage feel is still found at the centre of the duos music. The almost 80-minute sonic narrative is about an adventurous man who’s constantly searching for few challenges. After he gets lost in a swamp, he learns to survive and adapt to his environment, which also triggers a process of intrinsic change that becomes full circle in the end. Sonically, the six tracks on “Lost in the Swamp” feature far less sequencers and melodic lines than usual, leaving room for lots of cinematic, slightly ghostly but overtly emotive ambient soundscaping. The latter is e.g. excellently displayed on “Swallowed by Immensity” and on parts of “Learning to Survive”, the longest piece on the album clocking over 27 minutes. On “Life in the Swamp”, one can hear the usual suspects as known from previous Emmens/Heij albums, but executed in a more hold-back and lush style, while a strong sense of immersion and peace reigns the excellent atmospheric “Serenity of Nature”. The short “The Way Out”, found at the end of album, leaves a beautiful yet sparkling sense of release. All in all, I very much like this side step and more versatile aural current surfacing on “Lost in the Swamp”. I can only hope the duo will continue, deepen and extend their sonic quest on future releases. |
| Website: www.gertemmens.nl
You can see what reviews I have done of these artists on the Gert Emmens, Ruud Heij artist pages
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