Review for Efterklang: Plexiglass (EP) – 2022
Artist: Efterklang
Title: Plexiglass
Format: 5-Track EP
Land of Origin: Denmark
Label: City Slang
Release Date: June 21, 2022
Genre: Alternative, Electronic
5 Tracks • 20m 13s
On Qobuz available in Hi-res
24-Bit / 44.1 kHz – Stereo
For the German translation of
this review >>> click here <<<
Intro
On 6/21/2022 EFTERKLANG released their new EP PLEXIGLASS via City Slang, which is now available on all known streaming platforms.
PLEXIGLASS as an EP features five new EFTERKLANG songs showing a more introspective and abstract side of the three Danish guys. However, songs like „Laughing in the Rain“ and „Brænder“ are also offering the well known hopeful moments that are typical for EFTERKLANG, as they can also can be found on the band’s last album „Windflowers“ (City Slang) from October 2021.
About the Plexiglass EP
Casper Clausen of EFTERKLANG says of PLEXIGLASS: „PLEXIGLASS is a midsummer bouquet of different forms – new and older song seeds that we have nurtured while collaborating with many lovely and talented friends. Plexiglass feels like the darker side of Windflowers, a place where we dared to look a bit into the depths of our sound and songwriting. At times it reminds me of our early work on Tripper and Parades, for example, the flowing sound structures of „Rain Take Me Back Himalaya“ and the journey of „Limited Memory“ – I’m very grateful that these songs found a way to connect with each other on PLEXIGLASS.“
For over twenty years, EFTERKLANG has continuously pushed the boundaries of experimental, electronic and emotional chamber pop. With PLEXIGLASS, the trio, consisting of Mads Brauer, Rasmus Stolberg and Casper Clausen, is continuing their creative journey that brings them always nearer to each other, even when their lives diverge.
In the well known EFTERKLANG manner, there are plenty of guests and collaberations on the new EP. „Rain Take Me Back Himalaya“ features the band’s longtime friend Karl Hyde from Underworld on guitar. Composer and vocalist Katinka Fogh Vindelev, the band has previously teamed up with on the albums „Magic Chairs“ (2010), „Piramida“ (2012) and „Leaves: The Colour of Falling“ (2016), is featured on „Limited Memory.“ „Circles“ features samples from the two albums „Ambiances“ and „Images“ by Danish electronic music pioneer Knud Viktor from the early 1970s.
About Efterklang
Members of EFTERKLANG’s current and past live band such as Øyunn (drums and vocals), Christian Balvig (piano and synthesizer), Bert Cools (guitar) and Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė (vocals) are featured on songs like „Laughing in the Rain“ and „Limited Memory.“ „Brænder“ also features Rune Mølgaard on piano, who was a member of the band until 2007. EFTERKLANG is currently working closely with Rune to write new songs, and he will also be joining them at this year’s EFTERKLANG Sommertræf Festival (June 25 and 26) on the Danish island of Møn: https://efterklang.net/sommertraef.
The EP’s artwork is by longtime EFTERKLANG colleagues Hvass & Hannibal and photographed by Anne Bek. PLEXIGLASS will be available as a limited, single-sided, transparent 12″ edition, which can be pre-ordered now from the band’s store.
PLEXIGLASS Tracklist
- Circles
- Laughing in the rain
- Limited memory
- Rain take me back himalaya
- Brænder
EFTERKLANG are
- Casper Clausen (vocals)
- Mads Brauer (electronics)
- Rasmus Stolberg (guitar)
The Bottom Line
EFTERKLANG’s 5-track EP PLEXIGLASS continues the trio’s work on 2021’s album WILDFLOWERS, so to speak, and explores the deeper sides of EFTERKLANG’s particular soundscapes very skillfully. After a few playthroughs, EFTERKLANG’s musical message has resonated with listeners.
Certainly, the sound of the trio always has immense depth and a certain severity, but EFTERKLANG always has enough water under the keel, so as not to run aground in the heavy weather with too much depth in musical shallows.
With each listening session, the listener finds the sound on PLEXIGLASS increasingly just infinitely beautiful and mind-expanding. If your life may sometimes seem rather unfathomable and chaotic, EFTERKLANG with their music will make your life much more relaxed and endurable …
The EP is available on qobuz in 24 bit / 44.1 kHz in hi-res format and sounds excellent in every aspect across the entire sound spectrum. On the straeming platforms Apple Music, TIDAL and Amazon Music Unlimited, however, unfortunately only the 16 bit / 44.1 kHz version can be found. That is lossless with CD quality, but nowadays there is much more possible in terms of sound.
Rating for Efterklang – Plexiglass – EP – 2022
Summary
Max: 5 Points
Listen to
Mein Testequipment:
Studio 1 (High End):
- 2 x System Audio SA Mantra 50 (front)
- 1x System Audio SA Mantra 10 AV (center)
- 2x System Audio SA Legend 5 (Rear)
- 1 x System Audio Saxo 10 (Subwoofer)
- 4 x Onkyo SKH-410 (B) (Dolby Atmos)
- Auralic Altair (Audio Streaming Client mit max. 32 Bit / 384 kHz)
- NVIDIA Shield Pro mit Plex, Kodi (max 192 kHz für Audio, Tidal (MQA Streaming Client)
- AppleTV 4K (Streaming Client) Dolby Atmos, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Amazon Cube 4K (Streaming Client) Dolby Atmos (restricted), HDR, Dolby Vision
- Panasonic DP-UB9004 (4K UHD Player) Dolby Atmos, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Oppo UDP-203 (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player) Dolby Atmos, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Yamaha CX-A5100 (Preamp) 4K, Dolby Atmos, Hi-res
- Yamaha MX -A5000 (Power Amp)
- Sony KD-55A1 (TV) 4K OLED, HDR, Dolby Vision