Straight up, this album is a stunner and should finish near the top of my 2022 list. If only I could get to Loppen to see them play with Papir in February. Featuring Nicklas Sørensen of Papir on Guitar and Martin Rude & Jakob Skøtt of Caus Sui, Edena Gardens takes on a more laid back approach to either outfit. The record is much more atmospheric with loads of echo on the guitar work creating alot of space at times almost bordering on a country sound like on “The Canopy” Genrally the guitar work is more of jammy noodling style you might get from dead influenced bands without the rest of the sound of that style. Hidebound really slows things down and adds loads of shimmery reverb. Probably the most far out and experimental piece on the record is Lod which is more of an effect laden drone with the only percussing seeming to be some processed cymbal. The album closes out with “An T-Eilean Dubh” which to me is the most “American” sounding track with its plucky twangy guitar. What you are not getting with this record is the trademark El Paraiso jazz influence or if it’s there it escapes me which is fine by me. I’m finding it hard to express how good this record actually is because the elemental influences come from quite a range from country to folk to free form psych and ambient to create something quite unque. For some, there might not be enough there of any particular style to please the ear. For me it’s just the right amount of each aspect to put this on and just zone out over and over. El Paraiso has been on a roll with their latest output and the collaborations amongst their label mates is producing outstanding results.
Released by El Paraiso and available from fine shops everywhere that carry the label but again, shipping is so affordable from the label its just cheaper to do it that way. A side note: I generally like to embed Bandcamp links but when it’s not available I found I can do spotify so it is what it is.
