ALBUM REVIEW: Finnstagram – “The Universe As Layers”
New solo album from Late Night Alumni founding father
Very soon after first hearing a snippet of this (on Late Night Alumni’s Instagram, I believe it was), I checked out the full album and knew I had to personally write up this track-by-track review.
For this album, Finn Bjarnson (aka, “Finnstagram”) teamed up with none other than fellow original member of Late Night Alumni, the legendary dance music maestro Kaskade, on 3 of the album’s 15 tracks. (I think, actually, that “The Universe As Layers” gives some nice LNA vibes, as well as tinges of the amazing “Summer of Space” album I reviewed a few years back).
Here’s what Late Night Alumni themselves had to say about Finn’s new album:
Finn Bjarnson (@finnstagram) is the Founding Father of Late Night Alumni. A driving force in our songwriting, production, and direction. A talent that seems almost effortless. He just released a solo album that’s beautiful, fun, and deeply personal. If you’re a fan of ours (or Kaskade’s), you really need to hear it.
Stream:
Buy tracks from the album on Beatport:
https://www.beatport.com/release/the-universe-as-layers/5859866
TRACK-BY-TRACK THOUGHTS
“Flicker (feat. Kaskade)”
Here we find true existentialism in sound
“sos idea 7”
Just a jazzy/soulful fresh little snippet to help warm things up
“It Comes Back To Us” (featuring Kaskade)
Is really something: a soaring, uplifting track, full of melody and a powerful pull of inspiration. A simply beautiful track that will stick in your head on repeat, for sure.
“BS”
Surprises and perhaps belies its title! Full of twists and turns, this track in particular really has an interesting progression, both in terms of musicality as well as sonic texture.
“A Very Inflated Self Image”
Is a cyber-trippy little dreamscape interlude.
“The Least You Can Do”
An introspective song about living for dreams
“Sacred Veil”
Seems a song of nostalgic memory
“Praying For Time”
A song of longing and reminiscence, of re-connecting with warm sunny memories
“Layers” (feat Kaskade)
Awesome track development: with a steadily building driving melodic beat, coupled with Finn’s voice.
The end of the track is like the light comes in, yet still the question is left unanswered.
“I Don’t Wanna Lose What I Know”
A tiny one-minute slice of “playful, soulful experimentation”
“Check Out”
Perhaps this track really gives some nice melodic vibes reminiscent of Late Night Alumni. (LNA vibes)
An important song about learning that you need to live with uncertainty and imperfection, about finding repose when and where you can before jumping back into the battle or struggle.
“Victim”
Liquid velvety track with nostalgic vibe
“High Enough”
Smooth and fluid casual kind of vibes. (With flippant chord strikes interspersed throughout). with very cool beats to open the track.
“Airhead”
A song full of reverie that seems in dedication to a lost love, full of yearning and hope of reconciliation
“Invisible Ink.”
The album closes, somehow fittingly, with this sublime track. Again we seem to be witness to the artist’s reverie and wistful nostalgia. But the melody manages to turn the melancholy inside out, flipping it to fantasy instead of sadness.
Released on Kaskade’s Arkade label
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In closing, “The Universe As Layers” by Finnstagram is a work of fine musical art – a release that poses / ponders some existential questions, causing us to question ourselves as to our place or role in the universe – yet at the same time somehow never allowing us to lose our delight in the inspiration of its wonder.
FOLLOW FINNSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/finnstagram
https://www.beatport.com/artist/finnstagram/707880
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3kc83ki33FJgDhU49UcVNI
