Aether: Aether

Here is a rather interesting outfit, this time we re off to Milan, Italy and the new project Aether. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2023 and I have been digging into it the last few days. The band effectively combines ambient, progressive, and jazz, making for a seamless and rather unique listening experience. This is a very textured and moody album, laid back and smooth but also presents more challenging moments. It is all done with care and finesse, the band’s nuanced musical leanings and captivating instrumentation is quite immersive.

“Echo Chamber� begins the album on a gentle note, very textural, building up the intensity with shimmering electronics and near abstract guitar phrasings. Quite a spacey little trip. This leads directly into “Radiance� with its ambient soundscape inundated with Fender Rhodes and waves of synths. A jazzy keyboard develops along with an edgier guitar, now the music has a decided jazz fusion vibe. Dark rumbling sounds and interesting use of cymbals begin “Thin Air�, including experimental guitar textures, a sort of proggy chilled out fusion sound. Intense sound effects and nuanced guitar soloing makes for an almost surreal atmosphere in the moody “Grey Halo� and with “Pressure�, jazzy synth and guitar morph into ripping fusion interplay. The band playing with gusto but with an understated and refined approach.

Overall, I have to say this has been a nice surprise. An album that prefers subtlety over self-indulgence without compromising the technical aspects of their music. An excellent late-night listen!

Band members:
Andrea Serino (Fender Rhodes and keyboards)
Andrea Ferrari (guitars)
Andrea Grumelli (bass guitar and Chapman stick)
Teo Bavelli (drums and electronics)

Track Listing:
1. Echo Chamber (2:33)
2. Radiance (4:09)
3. Thin Air (4:15)
4. Grey Halo (2:38)
5. Pressure (4:29)
6. A Gasp Of Wind (5:06)
7. A Yellow Tear In A Blue-Dyed Sky (2:58)
8. Moving Away (4:36)
9. The Shores Of Bolinas (2:58)
10. Crimson Fondant (5:02)
11. This Bubble I’m Floating In (4:33)

Added: August 13th 2024
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 540
Language: english

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