Release Date: September 29th 2023. Record Label: Sargent House. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Hyacinth - Tracklisting
Seraph
Howling Flower
Celeste
Through The Lattice
Apparition
Bright Boy
Hyacinth
Lionisis
Weavers Beam
Hall Of Mirrors
The Cuckoo
Members
David Eugene Edwards - Everything
Review:
Hyacinth is the debut solo album from the iconic David Eugene Edwards better known for his work with bands such as Wovenhand and 16 Horsepower. Continuing the Country, Americana and Folk Rock sounds from his previous endeavours, this album has a more melodic and electronic sound that evolves into a more gloomier style of Occult Rock which is put to great use on the excellent opening track of Seraph.
Opening song Seraph is a slightly bleak sounding tale with David's trademark vocals are passionate as ever. The song is more Drone based than I initially expected with small traces of Heavy Rock appearing only when they need to. There's a dark essence to the song which comes through mostly the lyrics and the deft sonic work of the track that paints a haunting picture.
Second song Howling Flower opens with a solemn Post-Rock attitude with a lush Psych Rock sounding guitars which brings ethereal chants with David's vocals being perhaps inspired by the Americana/Country Rock scene. The lyrics are truthful and full of gloomy insights. As the song becomes more DOOM based within the heavier parts of the song. The semi-acoustic guitars work surprisingly well with the multitude of different gloomy and highly atmospheric sounds. Shades of Electronic sounds gives the song a more retrospective and modern feel with everything remaining bleak until everything subsides into the darkness.
Third song Celeste continues the Semi-Acoustic flavour of the album but with an Earthly presence languishing in the background and the Folk Rock aspect takes a commanding performance. David's lyrics and vocals could have easily come from the Doom Metal and Post-Punk scenes. Flashes of dedicated drum beats show another side of music starting to appear on the album with trippy sound effects being added for a more dramatic effect. This is perhaps one of the most creative tracks on the album with David on highly inspired form if slightly possessed by dark forces throughout the track.
Fourth song Through The Lattice opts for a subdued instrumental sound with experimental Electronica beats building up a dramatic rhythm which works with the eerie Occult Rock and Folk Rock creative attitude of the album. There's a deep sense of regret and learning to live with one's mistakes within the lyrics, that's the message I took from the song. It's brutally honest and wonderfully bleak which showcases what a masterful storyteller David Eugene Edwards has become. The SONIC and trippy EXPERIMENTATION of the album is what I admired the most which shines more brightly on this track alone.
Fifth track Apparition is another standout track with vocals drifting in and out from the main song with the exquisite instrumental sounds holding your attention. Perhaps the most DOOM based track on the album. Atmospheric Post-Rock and Droned Out sounds move the song along with David's honest and earnest lyrics having a more social conscience to them. The Post-Punk energy of the album allows David to offer more bleak tales with his soulful and passionate vocals with the track almost becoming part of the Heavy Rock world.
There's eleven tracks on this album and most of them follow the same Experimental path as the first half with perhaps even more daring creative risks being made by David Eugene Edwards on tracks such as Bright Boy, Hyacinth and Lionisis which sees the use of more Heavy Guitars which allows the album to slightly move away from its main Semi-Acoustic platform. Though, David keeps mostly with his Alt Rock, Country, Americana and Folk Rock creative choices with the lyrics matching the world-weary cynicism of Townes Van Zandt and Johnny Cash but with a more modern day outlook.
The final stages of the album showcases the Electronica beats of the album superbly well on tracks such as Weavers Beam, Hall Of Mirrors and The Cuckoo which has the power to confuse and delight listeners in equal measure.
David Eugene Edwards has delivered a powerful and emotionally charged album that's unlike any Folk, Country Rock or Americana album I've heard in recent times. This allows Hyacinth to be considered a truly original album in its own right.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Dave at US/THEM PR for the promo.
Hyacinth will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Sargent House from September 29th 2023.
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