Jotun "Learning To Live" (2014)

As if coincidence had a meaning, on the day i decided to review one of my favorite albums "Jotun" the next day Crow dropped a new release! After 18 months of silence Jotun is back with "Learn To Live" which pickups up where "Night" left off. The forth record "Surreal" brought a change to Jotun's sound, retaining the detailed notation and melodic values of the project, and moving in a Trance like direction with sawtooth synth leads and heavily oscillation becoming the focus, which is common place in Trance, House etc... electronic music.

On "Learning To Live" we are bombarded by a loud and abrasive sound as massive walls of textural synthetic leads drip over each other and paint vivid and energetic songs that are driven by a powerful, crushing drum kick and snappy snare. As always lively and free flowing melodic leads build the character of these songs. One of the first details i noticed on this record was the change in the drum kit. Much louder and more involved, this new kit really compliments the Trance direction, building a much welcomed danceable intensity underneath the surface. At time they even become a highlight in these songs. Across the album there is much variety and some great repetitive leads in moments which are not too far from feeling like hooks.

The downside to this great record is the mixing, although the songs benefit from the loud and intense nature of the instruments, they are also drowning one another as they compete for volume, for example the end of "Futile" there is a moment where two leads cross over in what would be a climactic moment of the song, but one overpowers the other in a muddy wave of noise. Another chaotic moment occurs in "The Chase" where the bass kick picks up speed and sound erratic underneath a smothering lead. Despite the negatives, its listen-able record and the musical content is solid, the main highlight for me was hearing Crow find some more trance oriented riffs to fuse with his style as the direction he has taken is maturing. Looking forward to more!

Favorite Songs: Gazing At The Sky, Introspection, Futile

Rating: 6/10

Jotun "Jotun" (2012)

Having previously written about Crow's Lord Lovidicus album "Kyndill Og Steinn" it felt fitting to talk about another project of his, Jotun. I've had a unique experience of having another artists work attached my videos, "Sailing Clouds Of Night" being the intro to my Hermitcraft series it is a testament to Crow's musical genius when viewers cry out for the intro music when i have forgotten to include it. It has also been the soundtrack to many time lapses. Its fantastic music that fits well into the Minecraft universe, but it holds it own, this music is a pleasure to enjoy whatever the environment is.

From its inception Jotun has been complete package, a music concept that fully understands itself. It blurs the lines of definition, but a fair comparison would be to 8-bit FM synthesis from old consoles like the NES with chirpy synth sounds and a focus on the melodic content. With a modernized, crisp and tuneful sound set, Crow brings his musical ideas to life through a pallet of electronic oscillators, pianos and other simulated sounds layered together with substance to make lasting and meaningful songs. Through the nine tracks many musical ideas and themes are explored, on later albums Crow continues the exploration of themes, but from this first record the concept is perfect.

From start to end this record delivers fluent compositions with each song having several melodic leads that pull in and out of focus and on many songs layering on top of one another. This is one of Joton's biggest strengths, to build several memorable tunes and find the cohesion to bring them together in the same instance. The notation is varied and progressive and not shy of turning up the pace with some charging solo leads that grab your attention and leave you in we. Underneath the leads that steal the show there is a matured rhythmic presence with a lite pallet of drums adding a subtle element of groove to tracks. The bass and lower end synths are structured and hold the songs together well behind the leading presence in these songs. Everything this record offers is on point and fantastic. Theres not a dull moment, the only downside is maybe the album length, at just under 30 minutes it always leaves me wanting more, but that in itself maybe the charm.

Favorite Songs: A Quest, Sailing Clouds Of Night

Rating 8/10