2024-04-15 06:00:31
Lethe – Alienation
Origin: Switzerland / Norway
Release: 26.04.2024
Label: Dark Essence Records
Genre: Avant-garde / Experimental
Lethe is the name of a river in the underworld of Greek mythology. That’s fitting, because the music of the project of the same name is just as intangible as running water.
But one after anonther: Lethe was created in 2012 as a home for the artistic experiments of Anna Murphyfrontwoman of Cellar Darling and once at The Eluvites active, as well as from Tor Helge Skei, who plays in several bands in Norway and plays across all genre boundaries, from black metal to electronic jazz. After a long break, the duo presents us with Alienation eight new songs, which can only be described as experimental. But that doesn’t mean that the tracks don’t have melodies and a certain catchy potential.
Electronic emotional worlds
Overall, most of the passages are produced electronically; guitar lines or even excursions into metallic sound worlds are present, but few and far between. Anna Murphy provides the singing, which is out of competition anyway – it is well known that this woman can sing.
What is much more interesting is the question of whether electronic music, occasional rock and metal interludes and atmospheric soundscapes fit together. Short answer: Yes, they do. The first release Erosion is, for example, a dark and melancholic number that hardly relies on emotional outbursts, but that is precisely why it exudes a strange and exciting vibe. The video for this is available HERE to find.
Outsiders among themselves
Despite all the joy of experimentation that can hardly be ignored coming from the speakers, they are giving it their all Lethe They put a lot of effort into not letting their sound degenerate into a confused patchwork of different sounds – we’ve heard that’s sometimes the case with “experimental music”. The feeling of not belonging in all its facets, which is the conceptual framework of Alienation In any case, it is well implemented – because this sound doesn’t really belong anywhere.
If this all sounds too avant-garde for you, you should at least check out the track Eternal Listen to it, because this symbiosis of dark wave and electronic-pop gothic rock is immediately catchy. If, on the other hand, you are looking for music to relax, ponder and dream that works both as background sound and as a focus point for full attention, then go for it Alienation really dear to my heart and put on the turntable.
Conclusion
Lethe By their own definition, they don’t give a damn about all conventions, which is also the case in the latest work Alienation sounds clear. Nevertheless, the avant-garde approach of this music project is by no means aloof, dissonant or riddled with confused sound structures, because the duo pays too much attention to a common thread and a clear melody. This album is therefore a gift from open-minded musicians to open-minded music fans, which is particularly enriching in the quieter moments of life. 8 / 10
Line Up
Tor Helge Skei – synth, guitar, bass, electronics
Anna Murphy – Gesang, Flute, Synth
Tracklist
01. Anhedonia
02. Brighter
03. When it’s Over
04. Eternal
05. Crossroads
06. Sedator
07. Erosion
08. Worm
Links
Bandcamp Lethe
Facebook Lethe
Instagram Lethe
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
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Editor’s recommendation – Krachmakers, punk rock from Hesse
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