Tracks:
- Rust
- The Pond
- It's Over Now
- Silver Wash
- Last Light
- Storm
- Soft Bipolarity
- Blue Room
- Sunday Evening
- Cold
- Still
- Lost at Sea
Sam writes: I am playing this disc as I enter this page on the site. It's quite nice! The two artists who I'd place this closest to are Gone To Earth-era David Sylvian or early Soul Whirling Somewhere. It's moody, brooding, slowly moving. With lush ambient soundscapes in the background. Now that I think about it, the Nooten/Brooks collaboration Sleeps With The Fishes is also really relevant. They compare it to Brian Eno, but It's not as "pop" as Eno was in the 70s, nor is it as backgroundish as his ambient work. I guess there's a buzz going on about Tor (he has an album with Tony Wakeford).
In times when the elusive idea of "multimedia" has come to be demanded everywhere, how many artists can you name who are delivering seriously memorable work in more than one medium? Meet the singular, New York-based musical solo artist & painter, Tor Lundvall, now unveiling his most remarkable musical release to date, Last Light, on the new Strange Fortune label.
Tor Lundvall is perhaps currently best known for his extraordinary paintings, which lure the viewer irresistibly into his mysterious shadowworld, where lost souls wander amidst ravishing landscapes of supernatural power. Anyone not already seduced by Tor's visuals is advised to dive into his online gallery, at torlundvall.com. You won't regret it, but you may never come back out again. The paintings are just one part of this story, as Tor spends the rest of his time crafting his themes and unmistakable aesthetic into the even more appropriate, ethereal realm of sound.
Tor Lundvall's major musical releases to date have been highly atmospheric, mainly consisting of a four album cycle based on the four seasons: Autumn Calls (with Tony Wakeford of Sol Invictus), Ice, The Mist, and 2003's celebrated Under the Shadows of Trees. Each one is a distinct soundscape that perfectly captures the magic of its time of year, as seen through Tor's eyes. With each new release Tor added a bit more vocals and lyrics, while keeping an atmospheric approach, remaining loosely in the "ambient" music category.
The seasonal cycle completed, it's time for a new chapter, and here it is with the major new release, Last Light. Without giving away everything, Last Light is the first Tor Lundvall album that may be said to be set indoors rather than out. Tor recounts: "The initial inspiration behind the album came from a journal entry I wrote in April 2002 entitled 'Lying in Bed - A Strange Evening.' I remember watching the blueish-grey light shimmering outside, and hearing distant sounds echoing far away, eventually sinking into silence and stillness."
Furthermore, the lyrics and vocals are now the focus of the music. Initially the words are used descriptively, to set the mood and atmosphere. From there, we start learning for the first time what's going on in Tor's mind. Thoughts that might have been whispered on the wind in previous releases are now on center stage. It's quickly clear this time, Tor isn't just here to talk about the weather. Tor explains: "I personally feel that this album is my strongest to date. Last Light is different from my past works in that the vocals are much more up front, and the music itself is more sparse and austere, although much is going on beneath the surface."
Musically, the lush, organic-sounding, reverb-loaded electronics are pleasing and enveloping as ever, while more structured and focused than before. As usual, original paintings by Tor adorn this musical release, and as the artwork is so closely intwined with the musical work, the two should not be separated or context is lost. If one word describes all of Tor Lundvall's music it's got to be, "moody," and this new album is no exception in that regard at all. Tor's converted fans will be ready to soak in whatever mood he chooses to set, and here's the next serving.
For those who have yet to sample Tor's music, it may not be readily comparable to any other artist, but those who enjoy Brian Eno's ambient works will certainly find qualities to appreciate in the soundscapes of Tor's own world. Now with the release of Last Light, fans of David Sylvian, Fennesz, and even Lycia will discover music that strikes a welcome chord.