Are You Here? by LE DAYS is a deeply powerful experience exploring the concept of life and death and the emotions that surround them. The artist referenced this quote in the project: “People will try to tell you what you are feeling. They will say there are stages of grief and that’s how you will experience it. But the truth is, only you know where you are. We are not linear, neither is the sound in your head.”
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This quote felt essential to point out because it gives necessary context to the project, exploring the concept of self and the responsibility of the listener in engaging with creative work. This is not an album that imposes a narrative or melodic constant onto a listener. Instead, the listener meets it halfway. More than most projects, how you listen to this album is deeply personal and will vary. LE DAYS has created these musical tundras that you, as a listener, wander through. Although the instrumentation and pacing vary, there is a sense of space that permeates much of the album. I think this space is a purposeful decision to emphasise the emotional aspects that are present as well as give the listener time to think and reflect on what the music means to them. Using silence as an instrument is a very impressive skill used to great effect here and is also a total breath of fresh air in a very sonically saturated world. One standout for me was Grief II with this beautiful piano melody offset by raspy strings. It feels like the song is barely crawling by, held down by the weight of the grief it is bearing. Anxiety is also a standout. The level of discordance within this track made it incredibly uncomfortable to listen to. As much as it feels like putting a cheese grater to your ear, I’m so glad it is part of this project because of its raw and honest portrayal of anxiety.
Overall, this project’s uncompromising deep dive into the darker side of the human experience is executed to great effect. You owe it to yourself to check it out below.
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