With neo-folk, Americana, and the like being so rampant in the music world these days, it does take some artistry to make an album stand out amongst the dross. With that in mind, Slim Loris have decided to take a fairly well-worn path and unfortunately that trail doesn’t lead to brilliance.
This being their sophomore release, Future Echoes And Past Replays, is a warm and well produced record. With instrumentation including mandolin, guitars, and fiddle, you would think the record would meander closer to country than it actually does. This is easy listening fare with very little energy to get the listener truly captivated.
One of the better tracks on this record is the thematic ‘Domestic’. This song adds a female vocalist and the couple appear to be having a domestic while they sing about the distance and shape of their relationship. The instrumentation and harmonies are what draw you in to the story being told here and it works well.
Although this band has been called the Swedish Mumford And Sons, the musicianship is nowhere near the heights that band can deliver. The ballad “I Will Forget” commences with piano and strings and is altogether written like a dark nursery rhyme and is quite forgettable.
“Norah”, one of the more country flavoured tracks, showcases the acoustic playing once more, but there is nothing new or spirited here.
You may want to dive in and have a taste of this offering, but it is doubtful you will come back for seconds or thirds.
