ALBUM REVIEW: Songs For Beating Hearts – Beardfish

It’s been nearly a decade since BEARDFISH’s last album, +4626-Comfortzone, and the band’s return in 2024 has generated considerable excitement within the progressive rock community. With a career spanning over two decades, BEARDFISH have solidified a reputation for blending complex, multi-layered compositions with a distinctive sense of melody—a balance that defines their latest release, Songs For Beating Hearts. The album delivers a mature, focused approach to prog rock that reflects both the band’s evolution and their core strengths.

BEARDFISH’s sound is built on a unique combination of structure and fluidity, setting them apart from many of their progressive peers. While some prog bands emphasize technical display, BEARDFISH prioritize melodic integrity and accessibility without diminishing the genre’s characteristic complexity. Led by Rikard Sjöblom’s expressive vocal style, the album showcases the band’s commitment to tight, well-crafted songs that avoid the pitfalls of excessive soloing or improvisation. Sjöblom’s unconventional vocal delivery and thoughtful lyrics enhance the band’s identity, serving the music rather than overpowering it.

The album’s structure is both cohesive and approachable, offering ten tracks—including the expansive Out In The Open suite, which is split into five parts—that exemplify the band’s knack for translating progressive rock’s complexities into an engaging, listener-friendly format. Each piece stands independently yet contributes to the overall narrative, allowing BEARDFISH to channel the genre’s traditional elements without indulging in overly complex or sprawling arrangements. In many ways, Songs For Beating Hearts is a continuation of the band’s work on Destined Solitaire, maintaining a similar musical balance while incorporating the experience and perspective gained from their hiatus.

BEARDFISH’s ability to blend technical proficiency with compositional clarity is a hallmark of this album. Tracks like Oblivion, part of the Out In The Open suite, recall the refined playfulness of classic prog bands like GENTLE GIANT, but without any unnecessary embellishments. Other standouts, such as Hopes And Dreams, Around The Bend, Beating Hearts, and Torrential Downpour, reveal a band working at the height of its powers, merging their trademark sound with a newfound maturity. Each song demonstrates their skill in constructing layered, memorable compositions that invite listeners to delve into the music’s depth without overwhelming them.

A defining feature of Songs For Beating Hearts is the band’s restraint, a quality that adds to its accessibility without compromising its progressive roots. Instead of long, winding solos or overextended freeform sections, BEARDFISH opt for a streamlined approach, focusing on compositions that are concise, but rich in texture. This balance lends the album an immediacy that is rare in progressive rock nowadays, creating an engaging experience for both dedicated fans and newcomers alike.

With Songs For Beating Hearts, BEARDFISH reaffirm why they are a respected name in progressive music. Their return album is not only a continuation of the sound that made them popular but also a thoughtful evolution of it. With its seamless blend of melody and technical musicianship, the album highlights BEARFISH’s artistic vision. In Songs For Beating Hearts, the Swedish quartet have crafted an album that honours their own past while standing confidently in the present.

Rating: 8/10

Songs For Beating Heats is out now via InsideOut Music.

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