ANOTHER SECOND CHANCE

I love Finnish Post Rock Scene really. Horte, Kairon; IRSE!, CMPbtGSYGM, Kakaokamkami, or Virta ... every single project is brilliant. And another fantastic combo named BAULTA have been added to my favourite collection. They've been active for 15 years around North or East Europe, and finally released their fourth full-length album titled "Another Second Chance" in the spring of 2021 via independent labels like Dunk! Records or A Thousand Arms. You will be addicted to such a fragile, mysterious sleeve pic maybe featuring love and peace (under such a tough situation around Finland, I guess). Their soundscape suggested through the sleeve should be well appeared and infiltrated for you e.g. in the third deep, heavy, and energetic track "My Golden Cage", where they would desperately try to kick out a narrow, dyspnoeic obstruction feeling. At the beginning, calm sincere piano plays are of comfort indeed. And simple, monotonous but powerful and aggressive phrases recover and uplift you.

On the other hand you will be driven to do something important in your future "While The World Sleeps". That says everyone should think and go into action regardless of the current deadlock circumstance. The following "Hardly Even Here" (one of my favourite songs in this creation) you can enjoy beautiful and gorgeous psychedelia. Tranquil, quiet, and delightful combination of dissonant guitar-based atmosphere and brilliant keyboard-oriented passion relieve and stabilize your inner mind. The epilogue "Long May Reign" is another terrific stuff full of magnificence and enthusiasm launched via their impressive instrumental delivery. Downtempo shoegaze-y sound expressions cannot discourage you but give a large amount of nutritious supplement. They would say people all over the world are suffering but keep holding dreams and hopes eternally.

Do not forget the first shot "Third" that should encourage and activate you carefully. Delicate keyboard playing based upon guitar distortion is fascinating. You can get immersed in their flowery, flavourful, aromatic sound unification. Actually I consider this excellent work would be appropriate both for the prologue and for the epilogue. Ultimate energy from Finland.

Nobody talks about music that "shrinks on you", let alone proggers, because after all good prog might need some space to breathe before pouring that first glass, So why do I feel like if I keep listening to this mellow instrumental post rock group, it will eventually tumble down the ratings tree? "Another Second Chance" is their last album as of this writing, and, while it at least sounds like the musicians are awake this time, I'm not sure I have made it through a full 40 minute listen without reaching for any lustreless new object in the vicinity. In all seriousness though, the first three tracks are propelled by creative work from new drummer Esa Starck and a good deal more oomph in the guitars, while somehow remaining mostly suitable as background music. The best are "Why the World Sleeps" and "My Golden Cage", before full-on drowsies really set in. I admit when I set out to review all BAULTA albums I was expecting more growth by the 4th installment, but perhaps they will need one more audition if and when the time comes. Just above 2.5 stars.