Hi folks, do you have an idea about how long I was waiting for this album? Being a fan of God is An Astronaut I can ensure you that I’m so happy to be here listening to the new album from them again and again.
Glen of the Downs, Ireland, based “space-rock” frontrunners God is An Astronaut are back with their seventh full-length album titled Origins. Tags such as post-rock, instrumental and ambient are regularly applied to God is An Astronaut, and while neither is necessarily off the mark, they’re basically an open-minded rock band.
The instrumental five piece band combine elements of post-rock, psychedelic influences, driving alternative rock and electronic influences into a glossy, trippy space rock inspired sound that leaves a lasting impression on the listener. With Origins the Irish band continues to explore the realm of the sound they have crafted over the years and conjure an album that will appease long time fans and newcomers alike.
Instrumental, post rock albums are always difficult to review because it’s a kind of music able to convey so many different emotions. This is the power of this music and I’m sure that Origins will conquer you instantly. As soon as you’ll press play the notes of this new great album will be like few big snowflakes falling here and there, all slowly, like spiders on their invisible webs coming down. And you’ll feel comfy in that cage.
‘The Last March’ starts the journey through 12 tracks lasting approximately 50 minutes. It’s an atmospheric instrumental start we used to experience with GIAA, it’s the gentle breeze of early mornings.
'Calistoga' is definitely powerful, it’s a lamplight in the atmospheric space created by the opening track. The vocals are flashing lights floating in a sound sea.
I love the piano- driven 'Reverse World' that is a reflective, melodic and intense track.
The hypnotic start of ‘Transmissions’ is amazing. Listening to this song is like being a loop and I imagine it as the soundtrack to a journey into your city, on a car, with no stop.
‘Weightless’ is simply weightless. Soft and powerful like a silent prayer.
The tone changes with the danceable ‘Exit Dream’ that has the rhythm of the previous ‘Transmissions’. They seem two different moments of the same song. It’s joyful, it’s a big smile transformed into a pack of notes.
The dynamism of ‘Signal Rays’ is contagious and captivating.
The following ‘Autumn Song’ is a moment of solitude, like the quiet after the storm . This song is beautifully melancholic and the echoing vocals are like angel voices over great piano notes. It reminds me some moment of the album All is Violent, All is Bright.
The last 20 minutes of the album are absolutely amazing. Starting from the hypnotic ‘Spiral Code’ that involves you like a spiral and with a notable and pursuing crescendo to the melody of 'Strange Steps' with its rare instances of vocals that are neither abrasive nor intrusive. The vocals, as used by GIAA, are like an instrument blended into the soundscape rather than a linguistic tool. The journey continues passing through the ‘Red Moon Lagoon’ with its reverberating guitars that will definitely blow your mind. This is space rock, this is great rock, indeed.
'Light Years Away from Home' has the honor to close this great album and it’s like the resume of all the sounds used in this new collection. It’s an adventurous song of an adventurous album.
Origins is original, is a collection of moving gems that introduce us a more emotional GIAA’s side. Origins is yet another solid release from the premiere post rock titans. If you are fan of great music you’ll love it, if you are a fan of post rock music you’ll become addicted and, one day, we will all be astronauts!
