Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

myskox - astral wandr

4/6/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
myskox

​astral wander
self-released; 2016

3.8 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

In 2006 myskox was learning to farm the land and live without money, building shelters and creating community in the forest outside a small alternative village in middle Scandinavia. After that he moved out to a semi-abandoned farm with two friends and that winter found a pedal-harmonium. 

The pedal-harmonium reignited his love for making music and the results of that are evident on his release astral wandr. These recording took place from 2007 to 2011 and solely revolve around the pedal-harmonium.

This album could've worked as one long track or broken up into many. Myskox choose to break up the sounds of pedal-harmonium into eight tracks. The pedal-harmonium creates textures and tones that often emit a warm glow of melancholy. Even more particular is the sense of isolation and loneliness that is translated through the sounds. That being said there is also a sense of serenity, tranquility and even enlightenment when listening to the music.

Up first is “viskapa” which slowly pulsates and the sounds of the air itself being played through a pedal almost sounds as if the instrument in breathing. “Viskapa” serves as more of a short intro that transitions into “genome-ljudr.” “Genome-ljudr” slowly builds as it progresses with brighter tones that give you a tinge of hope against the melancholy. Other songs like “re sa ga” are manipulated with a modulation which give it a psychedelic feel while “finndin' lystrkvast” is perhaps the most melancholy and thought provoking piece on the album. 

Both “vi-laat oss” and “om anda wa” utilize a technique that give the instrument a more percussive feel that pushes the pulsating into fast increments of silence and sound. The closer “rest i transparence” is the one anomaly that features some sort of vocals but perhaps not what you expect. I can’t tell if the vocals are backwards or what but is something that you just need to hear. 

​There aren’t too many albums that revolve around the possibilities of the pedal-harmonium. For that reason alone I can easily recommend spending sometime with astral wandr. The album offers some lush soundscapes that are not to be missed.
Tweet
1 Comment
Mike C
4/6/2016 10:39:30 am

very interesting sounds

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact