EN RAK HÖGER

After originally hearing this album on Spotify I made it my mission to buy this release which I finally did and settled for a digital download. It's always nice to see motivated young bands on the prog horizon who are willing to put a little extra effort in their material. The music on En Rak Höger is difficult to define even by progressive rock standards so I completely agree with the Eclectic Prog-categorization that the band has received.

The album starts with surprisingly strong Jazz undertones on Jagad Av Satan but that sound is soon enough replaced by a much clearer melody section which is something that will be prominent even throughout the rest of the album. The bass guitar is very clear through the whole recording which, for a bass player like myself, is a true bliss to hear!

The first real highlight comes in the form of the very strangely titled composition called Vanlig Dag På Jobbet, Snutjävel (i.e. Ordinary day at work, cop bastard). Get used to these obscene song titles since it seems to be a trademark of a sorts with Klotet. This composition starts exactly were the previous left off with a really nice guitar-driven intro section which lasts for about two minutes and then transitions into a synthesizer driven melodic section that I completely adore.

I like how the band has incorporated short transition numbers between and sometimes right after their compositions which definitely aids the transition between the different sections of the album and makes for a great overall album experience. After an escapade of mood swings and melodic twists and turns comes another one of this album's highlights. Allt Är Inte Farligt (i.e. Everything Is Not Dangerous) comes at about halfway point through the album and is once again distinguishable due to the highly memorable middle section and the nice build-up leading up to its conclusion.

Ugglor I Mossen (i.e. Owls in the Moss) is this album's lengthiest piece of music cloaking at just over 5 minutes. It's made that way for all the right reasons because Ugglor I Mossen marks the final and, by far, the strongest highlight that this album has to offer. The composition is guitar-driven and has some of the funkiest sounding drum performance of the whole recording. I love how the melody twists and turns in every possible direction and I must have listened to this particular track at least two dozen times this week alone!

I have only praise and admiration for Klotet and their debut album. The music here is creative, catchy and enjoyable on literally every possible level. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this new exciting band and their future releases!

***** star songs: Vanlig Dag På Jobbet, Snutjävel (3:37) Allt Är Inte Farligt (3:49) Ugglor I Mossen (5:14)

**** star songs: Jagad Av Satan (2:20) En Rak Höger Så Att Glasögonen Rök (4:17) Tulpandrakula (4:17) Den Felande Länken (2:49) Skrankel (0:50) Är Detta Humor? (3:49) Makt Korrumperar (4:51) Kontrollapparat (3:33) Bäklangesmannen (0:38) Den Meningslösa Maskinen (3:55) Splittring (4:30)