Kent
Du & Jag Döden

THE REVIEW

Fourth endeavor of Joakim Berg's band (fifth if you consider "B-sidor," a collection of b-sides published in 2000), also entirely sung in Swedish, just like the previous "Vapen & Ammunition". In short, Kent are Kent, and even in this latest work, you can feel the typical experimental atmospheres of past albums, although it leans more towards the less direct and accessible melodies of "Vapen & Ammunition" than the more pop-oriented ones of "Isola" and "Hagnesta hill".

The first difference that strikes upon the initial listen is a noticeable increase in the orchestration of the sounds, which are numerous, varied, full.
The rich sonic nuances of some tracks might suggest that there are far more musicians behind the instruments than those actually playing (listen to the first track "400 Slag" or the closing track "Mannen I Den Vita Hatten"). Nevertheless, it is a well-made choice because the many instrumental passages scattered throughout this work are truly moving and make this album something different from the previous works, which were undoubtedly less substantial, although they were also very beautiful. The vocals remain penetrating and ethereal, as Kent had accustomed us to, and the sound always leaves the right space for electronic influences, more rock-based passages, and even the sweetest melodies.

Overall, a solid album that holds up well over its nearly 50-minute duration and once again does justice to one of the best bands (in my opinion, and considering the genre...) on the European music scene.