El Perro Del Mar is Spanish for 'the dog of the sea' and is a solo project of Sarah Assbring from Sweden.
This is her second album after the eponymously titled debut of two years ago, an album admired for its 1960s pop feel. High profile plaudits included 'TV On The Radio' and David Bowie.
For the follow up she has stated the desire to do something different, to make a record which is not so obviously pop orientated. It is thematically linked by existential reflections built primarily around the symbolism of heaven. Assbring says: "I wanted to make something timeless, that in its character might appear like a collection of hymns or psalms, but in a pop costume".
An example of how this works in practice can be heard in the simple repeated refrain of the line 'Glory To the World' in the track of the same title. This device of using minimal lyrics gives the song a hymnal quality, also found in the lilting beauty of 'Do Not Despair' which, as the title suggests, focuses on the importance of maintaining hope.
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The album is self recorded and self produced and uses only anologue instruments and recording devices. For the orchestral parts she draws on the services of Gothenburg's Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir. The ambience is not dissimilar in feel to Goldfrapp and the fragile quality of her voice also brought to mind Jane Siberry.
Despite the fundamentally positive lyrics, a languid melancholy pervades the album making it an ideal late night chill out album. This means it's a record that may not wow you first time around but contains a subtle and seductive charm which gradually proves irresistable.
Recommended.
16t - 43.14
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