HYPOSTATIC UNION

Sometimes, there's a mood once upon a dreary night that only a band like Greylevel can properly provide the soundtrack for. To call this music 'depressing' would be a fairly accurate statement; this is a Canadian act that specializes in tugging on the listener's heartstrings through use of atmosphere and melody. Coming from a fairly rainy part of North America- my part, in fact- I can see what may have inspired Greylevel to make this sort of music; and it does show through in the music. 'Hypostatic Union' is an exercise in all things melancholic, and it has ultimately become one of the most moving albums of its style I've heard this year.

I guess the best way to describe the music of Greylevel would not be so much as 'space rock' as some would call them, but rather giving the label of 'depressive rock'; the sort of emotive, atmosphere driven music that Katatonia and even Porcupine Tree dives into. On the note of Porcupine Tree, the sound and style of Greylevel is somewhat similar, an easy comparison to Steven Wilson's work when he is at his most melancholic. 'Hypostatic Union' has a fairly unchanging style throughout, relying mostly on an aquatic wall of sound with moving, somewhat loose songwriting. There are occasional acoustics here, but much of this album is aimed towards giving the listener a very lucid state. Even if the songwriting here was subpar, the atmosphere that backs up the music itself would have been enough to warrant at least checking out. Thankfuly though, that's only where the goodness of this album begins.

It could be said that a little more variety to what Greylevel do would have helped the album leave a bigger impression, but as it stands, I find myself very attracted to what the band is already doing. This is a melancholic, saddening collection of songs, each doing quite well to hit the listener with a dose of angst. This songwriting is brought forth through a fairly spacey format, with plenty of reverb in the guitars, and brooding vocals that suit perfectly the style that the band is going for. 'Hypostatic Union' gives me the feeling of gliding over an ocean while a light rain is pattering overhead. It is dreary- yes- but there is a sense of vastness and hope about it that makes it all the more moving. An excellent album.

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