Young and with something to prove, Danish band Isbjörg have promised to challenge conventions and cement themselves as a band that want to bring something different to the world of progressive rock and if they hadn’t made this clear with 2016 EP Isbjörg or 2017s follow-up Glacier, they have certainly done this with their debut album Iridescent.
Much like each individual track on the album, Iridescent in its entirety has a fluid, ever-changing energy with no hint of monotony. This is an album that you won’t get bored listening to thanks to tracks like intro track Supine; dominated by keyboardist Mathias Jørgensen it sets the tone for the rest of the album, ensuring this will be a refreshing and innovative soundscape for the listener to delve into and explore. With grandiose piano strokes coupled with soaring vocals from Niklas Jespersen, the track begins with immediate colour, injections of heavy riffs and a steady groove that make for a strong start for Iridescent. The bands somewhat unusual decision to set out with the piano as their main instrument sets them apart from their contemporary peers and is reminiscent of older, classic progressive rock bands, most notably on tracks like Sonder and Dimmie and gives the listener a distinguishable alternative to the wider progressive market.
The lyrical themes throughout the album remain largely optimistic, steeped in a youthful sense of hopefulness, keeping in theme with the artistry presented to us by Isbjörg. In Illuvea, the band treat us to ever-shifting time signatures and as reflected in the lyrics “always keep spinning your wheels”, this band always keeps spinning and changing, making for a captivating experience when listening to Iridescent from start to finish. Following on with Petrichor, they confirm that they deserve to be recognised alongside bands like Haken and The Contortionist that are dominating the technical and progressive rock/metal scene whilst maintaining a unique sound.
It becomes apparent that Isbjörg draw their influences from a range of music genres when listening to tracks like Needles, which leans towards a poppier sound that is almost drastically different to tracks like Stockholm Reversed, a track which delivers a classical piano piece followed by a short but sweet crushing, riff-generous outro and demonstrates the craftsmanship gone into creating the album. Contrasting sounds delivered throughout Iridescent mean the listener will never once be lulled into a sense of repetition and will await eagerly with anticipation to see what’s in store next.
A special mention needs to go to guitarists Dines Karlsen and Lasse Thingholm, and bassist Mathias Kjeldson for bringing the groove on the single for the album, The Curtains Slowly Rise. This track is a strong choice for a single as it combines the elements that make Isbjörg what they are and embodies the true essence of this enigmatic band; colourful melodies, piano, absolutely sanguine energy, infectious riffs and polyrhythmic drums delivered by Frederik Uglebjerg.
Isbjörg set out to prove that they deserve to be recognised as a unique and invigorating addition to the world of progressive rock when they released their debut album and it is clear that they have achieved their goal. Iridescent is an absolute pleasure to listen to.
9/10 RIFFS
-Holly
For fans of: Leprous, Rishloo, Haken, Thank You Scientist, VOLA.
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