VOLA: Applause Of A Distant Crowd (ATMOSPHERIC ROCK,Fusion Metal): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

By releasing "Inmazes", the Danes of Vola were climbing into the pantheon of the most interesting discoveries of 2016 with their original fusion of space pop and metal. This frank success did not escape the label Mascot who decided to distribute the album a few months after its initial release. It is thus under this label that we find Vola for a second album entitled "Applause Of A Distant Crowd".

Following "Inmazes" the Danes experienced an immediate notoriety through the prism of social networks. It is the sense of metaphor that gives the album its title, applause from a distant crowd. Between the two albums, little time passed but Vola's approach, according to Asger Mygind, the singer-guitarist with Vola's bewitching voice, changed radically. He confesses that for "Applause Of A Distant Crowd" he found himself in a more positive frame of mind than for "Inmazes" and let the music somehow dictate the lyrics. This clarifies an observation that bursts to the ears from the first listening, the contrast between "Inmazes" and "Applause Of A Distant Crowd" is obvious.

But be aware that Vola has not changed style. The Danes still work admirably in this original mix of genres that makes metal and ethereal pop collide. The evolution is more in the direction of a moderation and a reshaping of its foundations. Where "Inmazes" emitted a raw and cold light by playing on synthetic textures and the aggressiveness of djent beats, "Applause Of A Distant Crowd" leaves more room for acoustic instruments (guitar and piano), installs a more subtle rhythm section, expresses warmer atmospheres and an explicit emotional expression.

Thus, the most powerful tracks of "Applause Of A Distant Crowd" have more in common the urgency of a Jolly track, like 'Smartfriend' which sounds like 'Dust Nation Bleak', or the density of a Devin Townsend for 'Whaler' than Meshuggah. The fusion operated by Vola gains in relief with rounder saturations, softer riffs and melodies always more generous and immediate as in the cheerful 'We Are Thin Air', in 'Still' whose roughness of the riff is tempered by a superb chorus or in 'Alien Shivers' with a fluffy verse. In this path, Vola displays a sensitivity that we did not suspect.

One discovers there 'Vertigo', a moment of interstellar grace, of integral delicacy carried by the bewitching atmospheres which recall those of the excellent soundtrack of the film "Interstellar" and the depths of the song of Asger Mygind, who almost murmurs his words. One is carried away by the almost childlike mood of the sweet pop of 'Ghosts' close to what Mew could do, the soothing and sunny 'Ruby Pool', the light and cheerful 'Applause Of A Distant Crowd' or the refined and delicate 'Green Screen Mother' in which Asger Mygind gives himself up, accompanied by a simple piano.

With intelligence Vola makes his music evolve while keeping its specificity and originality. The Danes have worked their compositions by softening the extreme contrasts that appeared in "Inmazes" and the result is masterful with ten highly successful pieces. "Applause Of A Distant Crowd" is an album that is easy to get into and difficult to leave. - Official website

VOLA

APPLAUSE OF A DISTANT CROWD

MASCOT LABEL GROUP

ATMOSPHERIC ROCK