17 songs for 17 paintings of the forest.

This is the sixth album 'The Hidden Forest' from Anoice, an instrumental music band featuring a dark and cinematic sound. Because of the effects of the spread of coronavirus, Anoice decided to cancel all upcoming tours in March last year, and after that, released new works from Anoice and the members' solo/side projects; Yuki Murata, RiLF, Films, Mizu Amane, Cru, and Tokyo Ambient Collective and took charge of soundtracks for movies and TV drama series, but have now finally completed Anoice's new album after the longest ever production period in their history.

This album 'The Hidden Forest' took inspiration from 17 paintings of the forest painted by Naoko Okada, and includes 17 songs with the same title as each of the paintings, with a total length of 72 minutes. It consists of mainly beautiful neo-classical songs played by a piano and string quartet such as the first lead single 'a perfect day for a funeral' and 'second coming', and also spectacular songs with dynamic drums like the powerful ground, such as the second lead single 'quiet wish' and 'the promised day' and sometimes quiet ambient music made of collaboration with the nature sounds such as 'into the light' and 'trickery and butterflies'. You can find similar themed melodies and patterns of the codes, with similar instrument formations through the whole album, but no two are identical, just like the leaves of trees within the forest.

In addition, one of the biggest features of this album production process is having used not only recording studios but also power of nature such as forests and rivers. You may be able to feel as though you are standing quietly in the forest via the songs with the sounds of animals such as birds, owls, insects, and flogs and the nature such as wind, water, and squeaking trees which were sometimes recorded in a foggy forest, sometimes in a dark forest in middle of the night, and sometimes in a forest where a strong wind blew.

This album with the tension in the air will be hopefully be remembered in history as one of the most beautiful dark music albums of all time.

The Hidden Forest

BandCamp

the promised day (Anoice 'The Hidden Forest')

Loven (lyrics - Arnulf Øverland)

Lyrics and voice: Oddrun Eikli @oddruneikli
Keyboards: Vicente Bueso 
Artwork: Juan Carlos Grande

Time Will Tell Us.

They are waiting
they can not live there anymore
they are waiting to set sail

the rain looks like fastflowing streams
it gleams

they can not live there any more

they stand in the cold in a bitter wind

they can not live there anymore

time will tell us 
what we will be
we are waiting to set sail

time will tell us
they are waiting to set sail

Lachrymose

Time will tell us

Lachrymose V (Time will tell us) feat. Oddrun Eikli

Nine months have passed – have fallen like red autumn leaves to the ground –since I first heard Albert af Ekenstam’s solo material. During this time Albert has, amongst other things, released 4 singles on Kning Disk (”Walking” , ”Angel Liz”, ”The Devil Bird” and ”made of Gold”), acted as a warm up act for The Posies and Bear’s Den, played on festivals like Reeperbahn festival in Hamburg etc, moved from Gothenburg to Stockholm and appeared in prestigious English magazines like The Independent and Clash magazine and others well known blogs like Consequences of sound and so on. 
And I, in my turn, have listened and listened again to his music. Over and over I’ve lost myself in his melancholy guitars, grandiose arrangements, heartfelt voice and poignant lyricism. I’ve also studied; discovered that the Estonian indie rock band Ewert and The Two Dragons included Albert’s song “Falling” on their second album ”Good Man Down” (I Love You Records, 2011) ... 
On the 14th of October Albert of Ekenstam’s debut album will meet its expectant audience. “Ashes” is its name and the outstanding label Kning Disk will release it. Singer/guitarist Sumie Nagano (whose self-titled album on Bella Union is a must for all who love unique voices), drummer/keyboardist/ producer Filip Leyman (who, together with Albert, make up the post-rock constellation Tempel) and trumpeter Max Lindahl (known from a number of jazz bands) have all helped Albert bring it to fruition. 
Like Elliot Smith (rest in peace) and Damien Jurado, say, Albert is a very brave and straightforward singer- songwriter. His melodies and lyrics are like uncensored and infinitely beautiful letters – without euphemisms and false chords they let you know what’s on his mind. At the same time they’re universal – if you’ve loved and lost you can relate to them. They also – also! – start your internal movie projector. With “Ashes” on the stereo and with eyes closed memory fragments, glowing emotions and pure dreams fly through your soul. That Filip’s production (which you’ve heard on Anna von Hausswolff’s two latest albums) is both intimate and grand at the same time makes this personal cinematic experience even more sensational. Great art. What more can you ask for? Albert af Ekenstam is here to stay. I look forward to spending many years in the company of his solo material.

Words by: Johan Jacobsson (Sonic etc)

Album release date:
14 October 2016

Ashes 160601 Master

1996

live recording ( Schiller Theater Berlin )

preludium a

from compilation ‘Algorithmics’ (Piano Day 2017)
Bandcamp: http://bit.ly/2oG1fbz
iTunes: https://itun.es/ca/wNf5ib
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2pfs44p

@edcarlsen
Ed Carlsen: piano, programming
Recorded by Ed Carlsen 
Mixed by Ed Carlsen
Mastered by Emil Thomsen

distorted strings:
Matias Emil Fyhn: Cello
Sofia Kongsgaard Lang: viola
Nanna Treu: violin

Artwork by Marin Blanc (http://www.marinblanc.com)
Layout by Nicolas Hyatt

Ed Carlsen - Weaved (Algorithmics/Piano Day 2017)

Himmelsrandt - Meerland IV

Himmelsrandt - Meerland V

Jay Chakravorty - Grid Cells

Jay Chakravorty - No Matter How Hard You Swim, You'll Never Quite Reach The Shore

Jay Chakravorty - What Comes After

Unperceived Records is an independent boutique label focusing on unexpected, inconspicuous and detailed tones in varied genres such as modern classical, ambient, electro acoustic & more.
We value individuality as well as quality and texture in sound and everything around it. With our „handmade" mindset we strive to make each release a unique experience.

Jay Chakravorty - What Comes After

Unperceived Records

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