Nerissa Schwarz - 2022 - New Eyes for Laika

(36:48; Nerissa Schwarz)

Track list:
1. Making Plans in the Dark 3:22
2. On Blackout Avenue 5:00
3. Olimpia's Rage 1:46
4. Memories of Being Made 4:46
5. Raised Like a Daughter 5:09
6. My Little Polymath 4:27
7. New Eyes for Laika 5:14
8. Europa Waiting 2:43
9. Making Plans for Departure 4:21

Line-up:
Nerissa Schwarz - harp, keyboards, synthesizers
with:
Andreas Hack - keyboards


Prolusion.
German artist Nerissa Schwarz has been a member of German progressive rock band Frequency Drift for more than a decade, and in 2016 she also launched a solo career with the release of the album "Playgrounds Lost". Fast forward a handful of years and Schwarz now has her second solo production out. The album is called "New Eyes for Laika", and was self released by Schwarz in the spring of 2022.

Analysis.
The style of music explored on this production is probably closer aligned to ambient music than progressive rock as such, although there are structural details as well as instrument sounds used throughout that will be of interest also to a more progressive rock oriented audience. Several instances of textures that at least sounds like they have been played by the Mellotron can be mentioned.

The word experimental needs to be dropped here though, as this is an expressive production just as much as it is an atmospheric laden one. Many of the songs, especially early on, are defined by undercurrents as well as more overt and dominant textures that supply an ominous, unnerving or haunting feel to the landscapes explored. Not all that often truly dramatic, but the kind of soundscapes you will hear used in movies when tension is building prior to something dramatic or horrific taking place. Not quite at the level of sounds used in horror movies, Schwarz shies away from the overly basic and dramatic effects, but more the kinds of sounds one might encounter used in psychological thrillers and more art-oriented horror movies.

As the album moves on we are also treated to creations with a different approach, where mournful, careful landscapes with and without majestic surges or cold, futuristic detours is a part of the total experience, while the darker undercurrents are more or less left behind. The title track 'New Eyes for Laika' being a good example of the type of songs found on the second half of this album, and while this is an all instrumental affair I can't help but wonder if the fate of a certain Russian dog might have been inspirational when the title of this song was thought out as well as when the work itself was composed and assembled.

The album experience as a whole is a bit of an introverted experience, the kind of music that for most will be best enjoyed as a solitary experience I suspect, either listened to through good quality headphones or in a room with a very good set of speakers attached to a quality amplifier that can provide all the delicate nuances and undercurrents of these very cinematic and atmospheric laden compositions.

Conclusion.
While not being an album that resides directly within the realm of progressive rock as such, the expressive yet also ambient and cinematic landscapes crafted by Schwarz on this album are quite the captivating experiences by those who appreciate this type of music in general and the moods and atmospheres explored here in particular. Those who enjoy unnerving undercurrents in ambient music as well as calmer landscapes with occasionally surging futuristic and cold or majestic and warm tangents will probably be right at home with this album.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, July 2022

Links:
http://nerissaschwarz.com/