AGAR

EDENA GARDENS are a trio from Denmark who released their self titled debut in 2022 while this second release and also a third studio album have been released in 2023. "Agar" are the middle four letters of the band's name while the third release is called "Dens" which of course are the final four letters of the band's name. Then why didn't they name the debut "Eden"?!

Same with the cover art. The first two covers look awesome and in the same ballpark but the third one completely different and my least favourite. I love the art for "Agar" but much prefer the music of the debut. It was more lush and spacey with echoes galore. Both are fairly relaxed slow to mid-paced records but with "Agar" the guitar notes are sharper, more slide guitar, a definite Post-Rock sound to those guitars at times. Just not as warm as the debut.

So a trio of bass/drums/guitar but the bass player plays guitar more than bass. Some pedigree here with the lead guitarist being from PAPIR, the drummer from CAUSA SUI and the bass/guitar player from many bands including several with the drummer. This was engineered and mastered by Jonas Monk who is also from CAUSA SUI. I'm told this is a trilogy so I'm not sure if the band continues after this. I hear their final record "Dens" was made up of music that they improvised and going through hours of tape they came up with that final recording.

So I highly recommend the debut but also know it works best for me as background music. But what a beautiful album. "Agar" just doesn't connect with me like the debut and I can't go more than three stars here.