A Massive and Cinematic Record from Alpine Universe
An album released from Alpine Universe comes through as a very vast and spacious, cinematic journey that not only bends and blends genres seamlessly, but does so in a way that lets the entire album feel somewhat fantastical, in a sense.
Songs range from elements of world music to orchestral metal, alternative rock, and more. No matter what you were hearing, though, the sonic drive and soundscape are always immense.
The record pulls you into its atmosphere with its first track, "The Kave", which is meant only as an introduction and door opener for the rest of the album, and brilliantly does so.
This is a track that displays a lot of that ambient tonality and vast soundscapes that sort of let you swim through them.
It is heavily cinematic and a little heavy-handed, but still settles at the same time. Vocals are used like instruments, bringing in gorgeous melodies with warm and welcoming tones that have a slight haunt to them at the same time.
The song leads right into "Now Is The Time", which has a great pop sort of overtone but still keeps to this slight edginess, without reaching too far into alternative backbone; it still breeds a bit of a rough side amongst its theatrical vocals and layers of textures that start building throughout the song's course.
Already, by this point, you realize that this is going to be a record with many of those layers indeed. There are no two songs that are alike, and you can't just listen to a few of them and get an idea for the record.
There are plenty of surprises around its corners; it branches out to many different directions, but still sounds complete, and the whole thing is meant for you to soak in at once.
It's like a sonic journey, of sorts.
"Nightmare Fuel" is a great example of some of the alternative rock approach, still keeping things vastly cinematic, but with some amazing guitar work and melodies that stick with you for hours after the song is ended.
Another thing that I found really noticeable is that some of the songs really tell some great stories, and at times, with enough detail for you to paint a picture in your head as they unfold.
The vocals are performed a little differently with each track throughout the record, but songs like this one give you great melodic structure and memorable sections with some of that sort of harder or edgy or alternative rock vocal style.
Great heavy, alternative rock-style songs on the record, but they're all built a little differently.
"Tool" has to be one of my favorites because the vocals are layered so well with amazing harmonies and this strength in composition.
Listening to this whole record feels different. A lot is going on.
The album is almost like watching a movie. Each track is like a scene in the film. Or you could say it's like reading a book with each song being a chapter in the book.
You wouldn't skip chapters in a book, and I wouldn't suggest skipping songs on this album either.
They sort of interconnect with each other in strange ways and complement each other at times as well.
Listening to the full album gives you the experience you're meant to have.
Listening to it loud or with headphones on makes it even better.
I love the record that is not afraid to go so many different places within one framework.
It expounds, contracts, gives you spaciousness, edginess, heaviness, melody, character, and plenty more to soak in.
The title track, "Kordee", gives off plenty of cultural Flair, stomping kicks, layers of acoustic instrumentation, with a deep underbelly that sort of rumbles along.
If you are someone who likes albums that are a big sort of experience. theatrical and cinematic, loads of textures that melt into each other and create atmospheres, and deliver diversity. This record is 100% for you.
You absolutely do not want to miss out on this one. I can tell you that it's been a long time since I've had a record sort of swallow me up the way this one did.
The whole record has an almost graceful undertone to it, and it's very easy to get engulfed in.
It also feels great to get engulfed in it.
Either way, definitely check this out, and again, going all the way through is the best way.
Take a deep dive into the KORDEE album now and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.
KORDÉE - Album by Alpine Universe | Spotify
