New Model Army - From Here

New Model Army have, over the years, turned into a force to reckon with when it comes to English post-punk/folk/indie music. New Model Army have gathered a gigantic following over the years – and said following will be more than pleased with the band’s 15th studio album, From Here. But even if you’re new to New Model Army, this album will be something you should definitely give a listen to.

The band recorded the 12 songs within nine days on a Norwegian island called Giske. Giske is a small island off the north coast of Norway. Really small. And really far north. Standing on its north coast, all you can see is water for miles – and if you could see anything resembling land, it would be the icy shores of Greenland. And it’s that coldness and remoteness that seems to have a strong impact on the band's newest output.

The best example for this is the song “Maps”, with the slow, dark soundscape consisting of rolling drums and wailing strings (I want to say Cellos?). The soundscape, combined with Justin Sullivan’s singing, lets you feel the coldness and emptiness of the remote little island, all the while making you feel comfortable and homely. It’s like you’re sitting in a little hut in Norway, next to a fire, with a warm cup of tea in your hands, contemplating life and looking out onto the sea.

You can tell Norway had an impact on them. The album is reminiscent of the forlorn soundscapes of Solstafír, but without being depressing or dark. German reviewer Stefan Woldach called the album “a pensive album [and] a worthy late work” of theirs, and that pretty much sums up the impact this album will have on you as a listener: it’ll make you think, contemplate, and calm down. It’s a slow, pensive album for a fast, rash century. It’ll help you slow down, stop, and think – something we really do need in these hectic times.

Upon first listen, I would’ve given this album a 6/10. Solid effort, but a bit samey. But it’s so multi-layered, so impressively complex that it’s not something you can listen to once or twice, and then give your verdict. It’s an important album for our time, so go and give it a few listens.