Artist: Royksopp
Album: Senior
Release Date: 10 September 2010
Label: Virgin/EMI
Rating: 7/10
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was contemplating on listening to Senior. I knew it wasn’t going to be anything like Junior, I’d been informed it was a much darker album that was less ‘pop-friendly.’ That’s exactly what I found, an album that is an amazing journey through different sounds, but at the same time pretty difficult to access. The album is instrumental only and most of the tracks lack an identifiable beat, often drifting into peaceful ambient music. I did really enjoy, and do recommend taking the journey. Full interview is after the jump…For all intents and purposes the album is dark and as far as I’m concerned it has the feeling Royksopp intended as “introverted, dwelling and sometimes graceful counterpart, brimful with dark secrets and distorted memories, insisting “I’m old, I’ve got experience…”.” This will sound condescending, and it isn’t meant to, the track titles are a strength of this album. Each one represents what the feel of the track is, from the opening …And The Forest Began to Sing with it’s pretty, slow paced feel to the final track A Long, Long Way with it’s tired approach to what is a lengthy tune.
The majority of the album is ambient, dreamy and beautiful, but the last three tracks (The Fear, Coming Home and A Long, Long Way) are a real let down. They don’t feel like they’re really going anywhere and that really got through to me. When you compare it to the other ambient tracks they just don’t cut it. Maybe I don’t have the appreciation for the music and that’s letting me down and isn’t the fault of the album.
I did really enjoy a couple of tracks for their different direction. I don’t mean different in terms of electronic music in general, but in terms of the album itself. Tricky Two and The Drug are definitely minimal tech, early morning rave tracks. They appear to come from nowhere when you look at the rest of the album, but they provide it with a real spark. I think the placement of the different tracks is a definite high point
Ultimately the way the album is put together is nothing short of genius. It genuinely felt like a journey. There were some high points and some low points, but the album puts you in a reflective and sombre mood. To me that’s what music is all about, stirring up emotions! And on that corny note I do advise you to have a listen (there’s an unofficial video below of The Drug)
