Michał Wojtas's musical project under the name Amarok has existed in the Polish musical space tirelessly since 1999, taking on various forms over the course of twenty-five years. During their first achievements, strong inspirations with the works of Mike Oldfield (the name of the band was taken from the title of one of his albums) and Pink Floyd were clearly audible; later, the sound began to evolve towards more ambient matter with folk elements - and it was in this period that the proper, unique character of the band began to take shape. 2024 brings another release titled Hope, which fans have been waiting three years for. It contains ten ambitious, high-level compositions, developed over two decades and for sure it will not disappoint fans of such art.
It is worth mentioning that Amarok is not only Michał and Marta Wojtas, as it was for many years, but also, since 2020, Konrad Zieliński (drums) and Kornel Popławski (bass and violin).
Hope begins with the title track. It sounds scratchy and trance-like, with strong bass and a wall of sound generated by distorted guitars. The hypnotic timbre of Marta Wojtas's voice puts the listener in a state of suspension between dimensions, as if a person were having a therapy session, at the end of which, after a countdown to zero, the patient is finally restored to consciousness. Michal Wojtas' solo in the last two minutes is sticky, dense and clinging to the surface of the ear. It's hard to tear your thoughts away from it. Leaving number one behind, we get to know the next compositions. Stay Human has a slightly different stylistics: the initial sounds are reminiscent of a radio-head vibe through gradually increasing tempo and Wojtas' withdrawn vocals, only to turn into a violent, impulsive flood of sounds that lasts until the very end. A perfect number for a concert setlist.
Insomnia brings a bit of respite, while creating a sense of growing anxiety associated with the title illness. Insomnia soon causes anxiety and depression - and these emotions are extremely palpable in the musical layer of the track. Sonically, it harkens back to a period of early Pink Floyd inspiration, but the clawing that emerges in the second movement is by all means from the era of the newer Amarok. Trail takes it all. The most dynamic, rocking, trance-inviting number of the entire ten. The perfectly matched vocal line with a sound layer reminiscent of Muse is unforgettable. Another concert killer. Seven minutes go by in a flash. Bravo. The next two items: Welcome and Queen are the works of Zielinski and Popławski respectively. In the former, the role of the vocalist is played by the originator himself, which is unusual in Amarok's discography, as the compositions so far have been performed by the band's founder. Low-pitched drums and bass, accompanied by a layer of emotional vocals, transport the listener into a period of cold-wave dynamics with heavily distorted guitars. Undoubtedly more difficult to listen to, requiring more concentration, it nevertheless fits in with the range of the other compositions.
The second, is a bucket of cold water for orthodox Amarok fans. With a trip-hop, pulsating groove, solos played on the violin and Poplawski's vocals merging it all, it appears as a brave attempt to explore new spaces. It is gratifying to see Wojtas bringing other musicians to the front to showcase their experience and emotion.
Perfect Run flies off into a slightly more keyboard and electronic direction. With an aesthetic similar to Jarre's expression, underpinned by heavier guitars and raw drum sounds, it is topped off with a screaming solo in the finale.
Don't Surrender is a composition that was written a few years ago and found its way onto Hope by a throwaway. A subtle, eclectic ballad with progressive overtones, it tells the story of taking on every challenge regardless of the obstacles that stand in the way, using the metaphor of water that is at once gentle and elemental. Musically, what magnetises is definitely Wojtas' Floydian-Hackett solo and the heady ending.
The final two songs on the tracklist are Simple Pleasures and Valley. Number nine has a long and worked-into-point guitar solo, while also being the calmest of the whole album. And the finish in the form of the only song with Polish lyrics surprises on the plus side. Economical and musically balanced, not needing an ounce of glamour, it is a wake-up call for dormant sensibilities. With his tone, Wojtas closes the disc beautifully and, being completely honest, I was not expecting such a sensual ending.
With the seventh album in his discography, Amarok proves that the band can experiment and play with genres while maintaining a high level. Hope undoubtedly proves the expansive sensitivity of all the musicians, because without the heart there would be no this material - and consequently this review. It is gratifying that the Polish representation of progressive music has this band on board, and it will be hard to tell that this release is the pinnacle of their abilities. They will surprise us more than once.
credits
released April 5, 2024
Michał Wojtas – voc, bac voc, el. guitar, ac guitar, synthesizers, upright piano, harmonium, theremin, el. drum beats, cello, flute, sampling, miscellaneous
Marta Wojtas – voice, back vocal, gong, percussions
Kornel Popławski – bass, violin, vocal (6)
Konrad Zieliński – drums, vocal (5)
Recorded at Sonus Studio 07.2023 (drums)
Amarok Studio 2023/2024 (vocal, guitars, keyboard, upright piano, theremin, percussion, programming)
Kornel’s studio 2023/2024 (Kornel’s vocal, bass, violin, cello, harmonium, djembe, percussion)
Mixed by Michał Wojtas at Amarok Studio 2023/2024
Mastered by Robert Szydło 02.2024
Album art by Kacper Kwiatkowski
Photo by Kacper and Justyna Kwiatkowscy @sundaykacper
Model: Patrycja Ciołko @patrycja.ciolko
Band photo by Eliza Krakówka
Vinyl layout by Alex Ivanov, entre.agency
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