TIDES FROM NEBULA: Instant Rewards (POST ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

When discussing instrumental post-rock, it is difficult not to immediately think of Tides From Nebula, whose name is almost synonymous with this highly codified genre, which they helped shape with their blend of power and softness. This does not mean that the Polish band is stuck in a formula set in stone. By enriching their palette of electronic colors, “Safehaven,” for example, highlighted a great freedom in its creators that, in truth, has never deserted them.

We find this freedom again in “Instant Rewards.” And doubly so. On the one hand, because this belated sixth album is being released on the band's own label, Nebula Records, allowing them to pursue their career as they wish, in complete autonomy. On the other hand, because throughout the album there is a feeling of escape that is inspiring to say the least. Better still, a kind of fulfillment, with a hazy melancholy that is never completely dispelled from the multifaceted content (“Flora” and its pointillist guitars). Each track has its own identity, and one senses that it has been carefully crafted.

“Burned to the Ground,” which opens the album, is hypnotic, a little gem of instrumental post-rock tinged with tender electro influences. Despite the addition of keyboards, “Rhino,” as its title suggests, sinks into a much heavier substrate, thanks in large part to Tomasz Stolowski's stony drums. In fact, the drums always play an essential role in the band's sound and in the progression of the compositions, filling the space with power (“The Haunting”) or delicacy (“Fearflood”).

Driven by Maciej Karbowski's stratospheric six-string, “The Great Survey” is classic but effective in its slow and stormy rise. As for the nocturnal and intimate “In the Blood,” it flows with the usual gentleness of the Poles, whom we would nevertheless like to see more biting and harder as well. The music is once again superb and, technically, there is nothing to complain about, but the trio still lacks a form of drama that ultimately makes their post-rock more pleasant than emotional.

Although too soft, like its predecessors, “Instant Rewards” is objectively a very good vintage, where Tides From Nebula has given free rein to its desires. - Official website

TIDES FROM NEBULA

INSTANT REWARDS

AUTRE LABEL

POST ROCK