Heavy Moon is the studio project of Canadian multi-instrumentalist Jakob Rehlinger, with which he mixes Krautrock, Kosmische Music and Prog Rock. An interweaving of different sounds, genres and styles that take the listener on a journey through the farthest reaches of space. The new album “Astral Highway” was released on October 06, 2023 and contains five tracks between 3:30 and over 13 minutes long. The opening track “Viral Vector” immediately immerses us in the sounds of the album, with a synth weave always in the foreground. The rhythm section is reminiscent of 70s Space Rock, guiding us through this cosmic journey with the artist modulating and layering melodies and electronic sounds with technique and quality. Kosmische Music merges with Kraut, passing through the more Psychedelic and rhythmic Space Rock, an excellent intro, incisive and very engaging. With a distinctly retro sonic imprinting, “Motorfunken” takes us on this space journey with a deep, hypnotic bass line. The drumming is rhythmic and traces back to more classic Space Rock, while Jakob is free to develop and layer the sounds produced by the synth. Always in the spotlight are the keyboards and the effects created by them are definitely the added value in the style of this project. The solo inserts that open the second part of the track are interesting, certainly one of the album’s highlights. We are now halfway through the disc and Jakob offers us an epic over 13 minutes long “Astralfunk,” which connects to the previous track with synth sounds. A deep, repeating bass slowly accompanies us towards the development of the track with the entry of drumming and the intensity increasing as the minutes go by. The solo inserts create a succession of textures that emphasise the artist’s technique in modulating effects and sounds, as well as in performing sophisticated melodies and solos. An enveloping track, which uses its entire duration to evolve the central theme and lead the listener into the deepest space. From the longest we move on to the shortest track “Viral Vector (B.1.1.529)” with a duration of 3:30. The electronic component is predominant, both in the choice of synth sounds and in those of the rhythm section and drumming specifically. The artist is skilful in bringing the sounds of Kosmische Music into a modern context, with a fast-paced rhythm that makes the listener move, almost making us dance in our seats. The album ends with another track exceeding 10 minutes in length entitled “Spiral Spectre.” In the intro, the sounds are dilted and with a more melancholic touch than in the previous tracks, developing the track with a slower rhythm and fine guitar solo inserts enriched by effects. The more Progressive side of the artist mixes with Space and Kraut, between Rock and electronic sounds, guitars an organ in the background and fine synth work. The modulations and layering of sounds are a real added value to the track, which we could define Cosmic Psychedelia as we find elements of both genres via Prog Rock. Another good album for this artist, who succeeds in cracking 5 enjoyable tracks from start to finish, enhancing his compositional and performing technique on all instruments. The mixture of genres and styles is well done, bringing classic and retro atmospheres into a dynamic and modern context both in the more animated passages and in the slower ones. A recommended listen for lovers of Kraut and Space Rock sounds, passing through a wide range of different genres including Prog, Psychedelia and Kosmische Music and not only.
Tracklist
01. Viral Vector (07:44)
02. Motorfunken (05:57)
03. Astralfunk (13:41)
04. Viral Vector (B.1.1.529) (03:30)
05. Spiral Spectre (10:09)
Lineup
Composed, performed, and recorded by Jakob Rehlinger
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