Album Review: Henning – Skymningsmusik för Dagdrömmare (Gaphals)

Henning will release his fourth studio album ‘Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare’ on April 8th, 2022 via Gaphals. The artist, who’s known in his home land for his guitar driven, Dire Straits- inspired poprock with Swedish lyrics, has created a completely instrumental album.

Henning on his upcoming album:

Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare means “dusk music for daydreamers.” The album is in a sense a sort of meditation, ten songs with titles representing different constellations, loosely connected musically by their slow pace and folky harmonies. Recorded live in the studio for two days in the darkest and coldest month, January 2021 in Gothenburg on the west Coast of Sweden.

Put the phone or tablet down, turn off the TV and try to quiet the voices in your head that are always demanding you do something. Just try and lose yourself in Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare. It’s easier than you think, thanks to the dreamlike qualities of Henning’s new album. An album that is all about creating cinematic and colourful atmosphere and soundscapes.

It’s got energy but a different kind of energy and the best advice you could ever receive when it comes to listening to it, is to listen to it as one complete piece. It’s the most complete way to experience the drift and draw it creates.

Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare is likely to get lumped in the folk category but thanks to Henning including an array of musicians and musical instruments, it really isn’t as simple a categorisation as it seems. Folk guitar melodies that relax the senses but layered with the likes of saxophones, mandolins, pianos, and organs. It is certainly a unique experience.

Of course, everything that can be called unique will also likely polarise and Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare is no different. If you find this kind of dream-like listen a hard pill to swallow, there isn’t anything here that will change your mind. Aside from the clear musical talents of Henning.

What makes it worthwhile though is that Henning isn’t playing with your emotions. He isn’t trying to make you cry or feel sad, although it has plenty of heartfelt melodies to do so, instead Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare seems to be designed to take you out of where you are and to another, more peaceful place. Even if it’s just for a short while, the album runtime, who wouldn’t want to give that a shot?

Henning – Skymningsmusik för dagdrömmare Full Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Kameleonten
3. Bildhuggaren
4. Pendeluret
5. Målaren
6. Orion
7. Lilla lejonet
8. Kompassen
9. Teleskopet
10. Cassiopeia
11. Outro

Links

Bandcamp | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube