progvisions  review

intro

If you don't count the musical projects of Syrinx Call (Volker Kuinke) and Single Celled Organism (Jens Lueck), it's been a long time since we heard anything from the German singer Isgaard. In 2019, I wrote a review about her penultimate album "Human". Where the album "Human" was a logical sequel to the album "Whiteout" musically, the new Isgaard album "The Water In You" is a logical sequel to the album "Human" lyrically. Isgaard indicated at the time that "Human" was a reflection of the turbulent times we live in. And in particular about the vulnerability of mankind and the planet we live on. I think that, six years later, things haven't gotten any better and that we don't take the many warnings seriously enough. You can also read this in the very strong lyrics that (just like the music) Isgaard wrote together with Jens Lueck. Unfortunately, you won't find them on the digipack version of the CD, which doesn't have a booklet. Fortunately, you can find them on Isgaard's website. Despite the fact that the lyrics often deal with dark themes, the music does not. If you follow the music closely with the lyrics, the album will come to you even more directly and you will see the emotional depth of the lyrics. "The Water In You" is recorded, mixed and mastered by Jens Lueck at his Art Of Music Studio.

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line-up

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review

The album "The Water In You" contains nine compositions, which have a duration of between 5 and 7 minutes. The album opens with the song "See Red Light" (5:22) which has a quiet build-up with delicate piano playing, but soon the quiet parts alternate with more uptempo parts with a full keyboard orchestration. In the last part we prog lovers will certainly get our money's worth. In addition to the full keyboard orchestrations we are spoiled with delicious drum parts by Jens and a melodic electric guitar solo by the current Sylvan guitarist Johnny Beck who gives his cooperation on three tracks. Then follows the very strong song "Cocoon" (5:24) which has a beautiful, quiet and somewhat sultry build-up. Isgaard convinces here with beautifully sung quiet passages that alternate with parts with a somewhat fuller orchestration and instrumentation. In those passionate parts you hear the most beautiful melodies passing by. The alternation with the quiet parts with Isgaard's angelic vocals is very beautiful. Isgaard's beautiful voice is the main character on this album. Just listen to the next track "Now I Am The Water In You" (6:23). A slow song that has a beautiful classical orchestration and ambient atmospheres. The beautiful and emotional melodies that Isgaard sings give you goosebumps, especially when special guest (who also has a Sylvan past) Kay Soehl takes out his electric guitar for a melodic solo. The orchestrations on this track are wonderful and the combination of cello sounds, Isgaard's angelic voice and Kay's guitar give you goosebumps.

With "Let's Use It For a Swing-By" (6:06) the tempo picks up a bit. A song with recurring choruses, a nice melody transition in the last part and with a more Art-Rock vibe. "From One To A Million" (5:11) is a wonderfully melodic ballad with beautiful lyrics. A song about change. "A thousand drops can build a wave - And a million waves join as water slaves to make the sea - A lonely voice can send a plea - But a million pleas can change it all for you and me - From one to a million". This is followed by the song "Thieves" (7:04). It is a song about how we, humans, are destroying our own planet. A song about climate change, which ends with a clearly audible cry for help ... a S.O.S. signal. 

"Along The Wall" (4:55) is a song with a pretty dark theme. "I have a look at all that is still left of me - A body breaking down, rotten shell for a mind that's still awake - Can't turn my head, can't move my feet from here to there - And 'cause my brain still works my soul starts to ache". It's about a clear mind trapped in a crumbling body. The music has both dark and lighter passages. The penultimate song is called "You Can Dance" (5:43) and is a song in which the intensity is slowly built up to beautiful vocal melodies that even have a bit of a catchy character. This intriguing and captivating album closes with "We Should Have Known" (7:03). It is a beautiful closer with a text in which I personally read references to our chosen or unelected world leaders. Isgaard sings with dedication and passion, but that goes for the entire album. Guitarist Johnny Beck spoils us once again with a beautiful electric guitar solo. The ending is abrupt but the message is clear "We're standing on thin ice - So impact and react - Or we will pay the price".

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conclusion

With the album "The Water In You" German singer Isgaard returns with an album that once again emphasizes her signature mix of ethereal vocals, cinematic arrangements and emotional depth. Known for her almost angelic voice and the dreamy atmosphere that her music exudes, Isgaard and her partner Jens Lueck manage to conjure up a world in this latest work that feels very vulnerable. The strong lyrics often have a somewhat dark atmosphere. As a result, the pop influences are somewhat less and I would rather describe the music as ArtRock with some progressive rock influences. Isgaard, the singer with the beautiful and angelic voice, has written all the music and lyrics together with her musical partner and multi-instrumentalist Jens Lueck. Jens has succeeded in creating a perfect platform with the music and production to do justice to Isgaard's beautiful voice and let it shine. Without weaker moments, this very strong album forms a consistent whole. Perhaps "The Water In You" is the best thing they have created together so far. Fans who already know Isgaard's voice from her contributions to albums by the projects Syrinx Call and Single Celled Organism will certainly appreciate this fine album. And please look up the lyrics when listening to this fine album. Only then will this album reveal its true beauty.

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