Dren – Time & Form (CD Album – Zoharum)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, dark-cinematographic, trip-pop.
Background/Info: Dren is a Polish duo set up in 2018 by producers/DJs Natt and Akton. “Time & Form” is their debut work released in their homeland by Zoharum Records.
Content: The work is mainly characterized by darkness. You rapidly feel entering an obscure sonic universe, which is driven by slow tempo’s and a kind of industrial trip-pop approach. The opening piece reminds me a bit of Massive Attack, but much darker and tormented! You’ll also hear a more experimental side running through other songs and even a pure cinematographic composition.
+ + + : The opening piece “Time” is an absolute masterpiece; it feels frightening and leading the listener into an imaginary horror vision. The songs clearly have a strong visual strength, which is accentuated by the cinematic passages from the work. One of the best cuts comes in the end. “Shadow Of The Sun” has something industrial-like; drones and tribal percussion passages lead the listener into a transcendental state.
– – – : The sound formula is efficient, but a bit similar after a while.
Conclusion: This debut album is quite promising and a real strong basis to move on with. Let’s keep an eye on this Polish duo!
Best songs: “Shadow Of The Sun”, “Time”, “Instynkt”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/drenpl
Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum
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