Glaston – Inhale / Exhale

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After a few singles and an EP release, Basel/Zurich-based post-rock quartet Glaston finally launched their full-length debut release ‘Inhale / Exhale’ in October 2017. The ten-track release packs an hour of cinematic and dreamy motifs paired with experimentation of progressive rock and jazz fusion.

Mixed by Tommy Vetterli at the New Sound Studio and mastered by Dan Suter at Echochamber in their native Switzerland, what’s evident upon the first listen is how far the four-piece has come since the release of the 2014 single ‘Setting Out’.

Each of the ten songs on ‘Inhale / Exhale’ is in and an atmosphere per se. Although a fully instrumental release, due to its multi-layered nature ‘Inhale / Exhale’ is very lyrical and expressive. While the rhythm section (Timo Beeler on bass and David Preissel on drums) keeps the things technical, it is a piano courtesy of Selina Maisch and guitar work by Michael Jake Gutzwiller that actually make difference here.

Kicking off with the amusingly titled ‘Game of Tones’, the album comes from the low start and foresees that something epic is about to happen. The inclusion of string instruments throughout the record helps that statement. ‘Levitating’ comes forward with a bit simpler form and is an easy-to-get-into piece with a recognisable introductory motif. The disjointed piano tones repeat throughout the piece accentuating its theatrical side. ‘Sunnar’ and ‘Noir’ exude different characteristics; both are heavily atmospheric soundtracks for a non-existent film.

‘Implosions and Her’ is, arguably, the heaviest piece on ‘Inhale / Exhale.’ The band speeds up here, introducing the series of pounding guitar riffs paired with a nothing less ponderous rhythm section.

One thing is for sure. Glaston gives a new meaning to the post-rock genre by doing things differently. They are not afraid to take risks and experiment. And what is the best medium for experimenting if not music? Glaston has created an album that will be hard to top, but hey — if they did it once, they certainly know how to do it again.

Release date: October 6, 2017
Label: Sixteentimes Music
Tracklist:
01 Game of Tones
02 Levitating
03 Sunnar
04 Noir
05 This Isn’t Happening
06 Implosions and Her
07 Mariana Trench Skycrapers
08 Better Luck Next Time
09 Ritou
10 In the End

REVIEW SCORE

  • Music9/10
  • Production8/10
  • Artwork8/10
  • Packaging9/10
  • Originality8/10
8.4With 'Inhale / Exhale' Swiss post-rock four-piece Glaston gives a new meaning to the post-rock genre by doing things differently.