Gently swain by the soothing return of this moving ethereal melancholy, Wayhome's first spin deeply captivated. Shimmering guitar licks revel in dense reverbs as soft atmospheric synths brood, swelling into stunning passage of dreary melody, beautiful yet sullen. Guided by simplistic glacial percussion, a cast of gentle instruments are invited to croon in textural pleasures, as minimal compositions amass in swells of volume. At its most intense, distant guitars distort and crunch metallic chops. This edge melts away into the ever present hum of its cloudy keys. Voices come and go, some harmonious and Folkish, occasionally shouts of a softer nature. In its best strides, ritualistic chanting conjures familiar suggestions of rural nostalgia. Pianos drift in and out of focus too, another tuneful arm to deploy subtle spellbinding arpeggios.
On second and third listens, the magic fades. Kauan have refined their Post-Rock/Metal motif to a mastery but one lacking fresh ideas. The absorbing nature of this aesthetic indulgence always packs a punch after an extended absence. Yet only two tracks had stand out moments with an impactful Black Metal tinged mid track crescendo on Leave / Let Go. With a lull before the storm, Haste / Ascend brought a touch more grove and momentum than the slower songs, giving its opening stretch much gravitas as the back of the song mellows out. Many of the tracks carried heavy moments between quiet stretches. Perhaps speaking to a concept behind its duel track names. Either way, its beautiful nature couldn't mask how routine this felt.
Rating: 6/10