Rasmus Fynbo – A Speck Of Light
Rasmus Fynbo – A Speck Of Light – Album Review
The brand-new Rasmus Fynbo album is out today! Rejoice!
Or do whatever it is you do to celebrate…no judgements here. Personally, I’m happy to have this dude back in action, and I’d imagine that I’m not alone in feeling that way. If you’ve been paying attention to these pages of ours, you know we last left off with him being nominated to our top ten list back at the end of 2021 for the work put into the album The Azure Sea. I’ve reviewed him…I’ve played his music on the SBS Podcast…he’s been featured in the SBS Secret Stash Of Stellar Singles…I’ve bought a ton from his past catalog online during Bandcamp Fridays…I think you get the point – I’m a sincere fan of Rasmus.
So to hear him start up the latest album on such an extraordinary note with “A Summer Day In April” was extremely pleasing to me…it’s further confirmation of how much an artist like this truly deserves our support. LISTEN to the stellar array of instrumentation! LISTEN to the stunning vocals! From the concept to the execution, I listen to a track like “A Summer Day In April” and immediately feel like we’re in-store for another remarkable album full of incredible songs from Rasmus Fynbo, because that’s what he does! The performance, production, and recording on “A Summer Day In April” instantly set a very high standard to live up to, but I’m more than confident in Rasmus & his band being up to the challenge. I’ve found that this guy’s music has been nothing but a pleasure to listen to ever since I had my first opportunity to listen way back in early 2020, and this opening track further proves that’s always going to be the case. This band is about creating songs with tangible authenticity, artistry, and depth at all times.
Not only did singer Camila Castellani do an incredible job in singing “A Summer Day In April,” but she’ll go on to arguably sound even more fantastic on the track to follow, called “Into The Woods.” Coming from Argentina, she’s representing one of the nine different countries that the contributing musicians come from throughout the course of this record, making what you’ll hear on A Speck Of Light a true international effort. Camila sings perfectly in English, and she sounds absolutely fantastic as the main lead singer you’ll hear throughout the majority of this new material. She also does an exceptional job with her backing vocals and when singing with Rasmus supporting her lead as well, like you’ll find on “Into The Woods.” I absolutely adore this second track & I can certainly hear its single-worthy potential as well…the piano melody is gorgeous, the bass from Per Solgaard is brilliantly bold…the violins from Eneko Rodriguez are essential…it’s ALL sensational to listen to, and yet even with everything going so very RIGHT for this ensemble of talent, it’s still Castellani that you can’t take your ears off of. From the delicate approach to the very beginning, to the stylistically stunning sound of her voice as she continues to sing, to the epic way she gathers even more strength to get the message across in the chorus…she is clearly all aces, all of the time. Listening to the free-floating harmonies around the 2:30 mark, or hearing her sing “time to arrange for a permanent disconnection” in the finale is a complete treat for the ears.
You’ll find themes of frustration echo strongly in the undertones of this album if you’re listening closely. There’s no doubt you’ll find a TON of beauty shimmering on the surface of the music you’ll hear, but make no mistake, Rasmus is a genuine master songwriter when it comes to the art of contrast. What would often sound like a catchy song to sing along to will often reveal a piece of art with a point of view on closer inspection…the kind of music that a passerby would think is sweet to listen to, but those that are dedicating time to really hear what’s being communicated get that much more out of. “Late September Sky” is probably as good & clear of an example as any could be – when Camila sings “oh, but I am not your possession…let me go” you feel the separation occurring, which is further reinforced in lines like “isolated alone, you walked into the unknown” or “life just took a turn, for you the point of no return” – not only are they strong lines in the lyricism & vocals, but they help tell this amazing story of what seems like it’s a song about trying to let go of what was, and make a shift into what objectively IS. It’s a Rasmus Fynbo track though y’all…there could be many interpretations as to what it could be about, and only he is going to know what it is ultimately about…essentially, any theory that you come up with would likely be just as good as my own. All I can really do is tell ya what sounds good to me, and there is no doubt whatsoever that “Late September Sky” qualifies in that regard. From the very first moments of the music, to the way this track weaves such a compelling tale in the verses and then morphs into the full-blown beauty of the melody in the chorus…I’m tellin’ ya…the craftsmanship in the songwriting is exceptional in every way you can think of, with only the execution in their performance to rival its excellence. The incredible attention to detail on “Late September Sky” is seriously award-worthy y’all.
As “Departure” carries on the storyline, “only mist and misery stay” as we search for a missing person, seemingly long gone without a trace, and leaving behind no signs of foul play. Rasmus isn’t just capable of telling a great story – he also writes music that genuine reflects the emotion and thought-provoking situations he details through his words so well. “Departure” on the surface would likely appear to be one of the deeper cuts on the record if we’re talking about what it sounds like or what its potential appeal would be to the masses out there listening, but if we’re talking about the art, writing, and performance, you’ll find the commitment to this track to be every bit as strong as the best of the best. Plus, to be honest, I still think the hooks on “Departure” are effective too…like…I mean, I’d get it if you wanted to argue there are more memorable songs on the album, because I’d agree with that too…but I do think that this track will go on to prove it’s got real staying power…you’ll come back to this song, and look forward to it the more you play A Speck Of Light. I guess what I’m saying is that, yes, it’s got a more pronounced bend towards the story being the main focus perhaps, but don’t panic if you’re the kind of person that feels like they need to sing along with what you’re listening to…you’ll still be able to do that.
From my perspective, you’ve always been able to hear the evolution in what Rasmus Fynbo creates, and you can hear him taking another leap forward on A Speck Of Light by taking more of a behind the scenes role playing the music more and leaving the lead vocals to Camila this time around. While I’d personally tell ya that I love the guy’s voice from what I’ve heard on past records, I do think he’s made a great call for this particular album to test the waters and see what else can be accomplished by surrendering that main role in the spotlight. I also think that, with so much of the concept driving this album being about missing people or finding your way out of the society we know in an effort to search for something that could be better, the absence of Rasmus was a really smart way for him to reinforce the overall concepts that are at the core of this record. He considers so much in the details of his craft that I can’t imagine he would have chosen to do all this by accident – he’s a very purposeful artist that would understand that appearing more in the backing vocals would be like seeing an image of someone you know through the mist without being entirely sure they’re there at all, you know what I mean? Rasmus himself becomes much more of an ominous presence in these songs or a sense of their spirit, rather than an obvious part of their DNA – make sense? LOL…probably not, unless you’re a dedicated listener to this dude’s catalog like I have been…you might need to take my word for it, and that again, might only be my interpretation of what’s going on throughout this record. “Fireflies” is a good tune…I enjoy it…I think you get another outstanding performance from Camila, who is singing confidently with such impressive melody and soul combined…and the music itself remains completely engaging, immaculately vivid, and truly interesting.
The guitars from Alex Duarte instantly make an impact on “Le Lac” alongside the violin in another stellar appearance from Rodriguez. It all sets the stage for a new voice in Sarah Jouheri taking on the role of the lead vocals for this particular track, shining bright in her only performance on A Speck Of Light. Is she Camila? No…but I think it’s fair to say that not too many people ARE…Camila’s pretty one of a kind when it comes right down to it, but I felt like Joheri was more than able to hold her own and I liked the idea of having her layered vocal sound creating the real heart you’ll find in the melody of this song. From what I’ve read, she’s from Morocco, yet you’ll find her singing in both French and English on “Le Lac,” proving once again that different cultures around the world have such an extraordinary capacity to learn. I’m sure there are a few smarties here on the North American continent I’m living on too…I might not know where they’re hiding, but I’m sure they’re around here somewhere…but you get what I’m saying…our populations have been dumbed down by a lifetime of fast food at the drive thru window and endless consumption of late night television. When you run into people from other countries, you usually learn that they know three or four languages and they all seem to be freakishly brilliant as a result of their worldly experience and actually LIVING life…or at the very least, that’s the impression I’ve got. Anyhow. “Le Lac” is a quality song, even if it’s a little more on the serene, calm, and controlled side of what you’ll hear on this album. Joheri was tasked with bringing something different to this song, and I feel like she succeeded in that…”Le Lac” has a real spellbinding & hypnotic vibe to its textured melody.
From what I gathered in listening to “A Poisoned Meal,” at this point in the story, you’ll likely find that you’ll feel like the concept of death evolves to highlight the separation it creates. As in, it’s not so much that people are missing or gone from our lives, but now potentially existing in another realm of time instead…which I personally find quite comforting in a way, but I can also understand the insane amount of pain it would cause those aware of this quantum conundrum as well. I suppose the question is, would the fact that someone exists outside of your own timeline by any less painful that the permanence of death as we know it? Like I said…I think it’s a comforting thought, and I feel like I’ve gone down this road a couple times myself in considering this concept along that coincides with the ideas of reincarnation & whatnot. I felt like “A Poisoned Meal” somewhat turns the tables on this whole scenario though…it’s just a theory, but I think it works…this song seems to be more about the person that has departed realizing they can’t get back, rather than the way we typically consider this scenario from the other side of the mirror where we’ve lost someone we love & they’re gone. “Can no one hear me screaming? I’m stuck in time, this life ain’t mine, around me life is teeming…” – like…I’ll never profess to have the one & only answer as to what Rasmus is writing about, but I feel like my theory at least stands a chance based on lines like that, doesn’t it? It’s a uniquely tragic scenario…and to be honest, I love thinking about songs like this and/or concept records this well thought-out…they’re so preciously rare, but they really make for an exceptional listening experience when you’re lucky enough to find one. Right or wrong about what I think it’s about, “A Poisoned Meal” is still beautifully arranged.
There is a very large chance that “Anhelando” is my favorite track on the album, or at the very least, within the top three, in my personal opinion. Will that sentiment be shared by YOU too? I actually think there is a great possibility that it will be…this song is incredibly charming, and provides what has gotta be the most remarkable performance you’ll hear from Camila as she sings this song in Spanish. I don’t know a single word of Spanish myself personally, but it’s songs like “Anhelando” that definitively prove how music is our universal language. How so? Great question! Now here’s the answer. When you consider how much of this album has expressed a level of frustration or desire for things to different than they appear to be as the dominant trait in the themes of the song, you can hear that “Anhelando” puts a different spin on it, focusing more towards what makes life the beautiful experience that it can be. How did I know that? Is it because the lyrics you’ll find sung in Spanish on “Anhelando” are the same ones you’ll find in English later on in the lineup when you hear “Nostalgia?” Nope! It’s because you can HEAR that the perspective changes in the demeanor of the music and the energy within it. Yes I have the advantage of having the lyrics in front of me…and yes, there are points in “Nostalgia” that still express the frustrations of an earthbound life or being stuck on a particular timeline…but no…if I’m being entirely forthcoming with ya, my ears don’t often need words to pick up on the emotions being expressed through music. I don’t pretend to be some kind of savant – I’m just someone that actually listens to the music coming through their speakers, and allows it to affect me on an emotional level if it has the power to do so…and “Anhelando” was more than able to do that. I love everything about this song from the ambience that Rasmus has added into the mix, to the way the cello from Nina Uzelac is so insightfully moving, to the absolutely inspired way that Camila sings this track…I’m tellin’ ya folks, this tune is a perfect example of everyone being on the same page bringing their professional best, 100%. It’s catchy, it’s evocative, it’s cross-cultural…and it is beautiful beyond compare in the sum of its parts.
While I don’t know Rasmus on a personal level and only have a snippet or two about who the man is behind the music, from what I gather, the art is what takes priority, always. That’s not to suggest his music isn’t accessible – it often is, but that’s a natural byproduct of great songwriting more-so than something he intentionally strives for, you follow me? So when you stumble across songs like “Into The Woods,” “Last September Sky,” or “Anhelando” for example, the wider degree of accessibility on display simply coexists with the art itself…it’s not necessarily a happy accident, but a close cousin to it, because again, it’s the art that always takes the main priority in the music that he makes. If you’ve heard music made with the art being the main goal, you’re probably familiar with the fact that it’s not always a recipe that lends itself to accessibility – that’s what I’m saying. And that’s fine! I’m more than okay with that personally, because I think music is about a whole lot more than just being something to sing along to. Tracks like “Sea Of Time” are a great example of where you’ll hear the art take a more prevalent role and the balance shifts towards that over accessibility & appeal to the masses. Like I’ve been alluding to, I think Rasmus gets somewhat lucky when he ends up with a track that DOES appeal to the average everyday listener, because I don’t think that’s who or what he makes music for. He’s in this for the art, the craft, and the love of the game…he’s an artist that creates in the medium of sound, because he HAS to…it’s in his blood. “Sea Of Time” continues to build on the storyline that fuels this concept album, and even has Camila singing in Filipino this time around as well. Tracks like this one go deep right from the very first line – “remember the rope around your neck” – but it’s a remarkable contribution to this album even if it’s not likely to be one of the first tracks that stands out to the people listening. The high level of execution and standards are kept…that’s all you can ever do as an artist…the rest is decided in the court of public opinion as it always is, but rest assured, the quality you want to hear is thriving on “Sea Of Time” every bit as much as it does on the rest. Camila delivers another exceptional highlight singing this song, and the music you’ll find is endlessly intriguing to listen to…more interesting than catchy in that respect. That’s usually the trade-off when art is the priority, and that’s always going to be okay with me.
“Speck Of Light” is an excellent example of meeting in the halfway point between art and accessibility, where someone like Rasmus is still able to express his thoughts without compromise, yet still comes out with a fairly universally appealing sound to go along with’em. Conceptually, it’s one of my favorite tracks on the album and I get why he would have chosen this song to inspire the title & story driving the whole record. If I’m hearing what he’s written correctly, “Speck Of Light” is largely about finding some kind of connection to what we know & what we love, even in the darkest of times. Something that helps us remember those we held dear or the memories we’ve made…both for our comfort & need to hang onto what makes us who we are, but also as an act of defiance against the “gods” who “strike us down” or take away what is most important to us during the course of leading our lives. “Speck Of Light” becomes a gentle-but-bold anthem that reminds us all that we hold dear inside our hearts and minds cannot ever be taken from us, by anyone. It’s a reminder that there are symbols and signs all around us that will continually conjure up thoughts, feelings, and emotions we shared along the way. Love it! And if I’ve even gotten ten percent of what Rasmus intended this song to be about, then I’d say I wholeheartedly agree with him. True love never dies; I suspect that’s what he’s getting at on this song. Even beyond that, I think it’s a broader concept that includes a real respect for the role everything we see, all the people we meet, and every memory we make shapes the reality in the universe we’re living in…I listen to tracks like “Speck Of Light” & really appreciate how much thought exists within his music.
I felt like “Nostalgia” made for one of the most interesting listens on this album, because you can’t help but make a natural comparison to “Anhelando” based on the fact that both songs share the same lyrics, yet sung in two different languages. Don’t get me wrong – “Nostalgia” still comes out very well for Fynbo…his attention to the finest details never wavers and his standards for quality & professionalism don’t either – BUT…there’s not a doubt in my mind that of the two tracks we’d practically have no choice to compare, that “Anhelando” came out victorious. What I do like about “Nostalgia” and its lyricism being revealed in English to the benefit of listeners like myself, is that it makes the concept become even clearer as it further blurs the line between what is and isn’t real. “Will we wake up? Are we all just dreaming? It’s all just made up – will we wake up screaming from this fake memory?” If you’ve ever taken Bo Burnham’s advice and looked up ‘derealization’ to discover that’s exactly how you feel about life, then trust me when I tell ya, you’ll get a whole lot out of an album like this one. “We’re stuck in a loop living a life that never existed” – I mean, c’mon y’all…that’s a genuinely brilliant observation that is about as real as it gets from my perspective. I spend each and every day of my life further believing in so much of what Rasmus has expressed throughout this whole record…and whether you think it’s ‘the Matrix’ or ‘simulation theory’ or ‘reincarnation’ etc. etc. – we’re all dreaming of the same kind on concepts that essentially theorize that none of this matters, and none of this life is real. It takes a minute or two to become comfortable with such a notion, but I assure you, once you get there, you’ll find there’s nothing more comforting at all. We are all made of stars and dust and “Nostalgia” and when we’re gone, we’ll find a way to come back so that we can repeat the entire experience again and have absolutely no recollection that we’ve done it all before except a nagging suspicion that never goes away. Did I mention that I love albums like this that really make us think? I really, really do. This is where art comes ALIVE in our minds…where songs like “Nostalgia” make us think about all that makes us who we are and the role that we play…in our lives, in the lives of others, and on a wholly universal scale.
Finishing off A Speck Of Light with “Lullaby At The End Of The World,” I feel like there’s such an excellent chance of this record being the most revered by all that listen to Rasmus Fynbo. It’s all been such a true achievement in the pursuit of creating art that MOVES us in some way, shape, or form…yet also such an extraordinarily personal adventure into the heart of his own perspective on what life both is, and isn’t. “The world is sliding by your eyes, there is calm in your breath, slowly into the void you go” – I mean, that’s how it goes, doesn’t it? If that isn’t the final moments of life, I don’t know what else could be. Rasmus makes this all sound a lot less scary than it could potentially be, which I also think is a potent observation…that perhaps we’re all a lot more content when we’ve reached the end of the hourglass and singing the “Lullaby At The End Of The World.” When you consider how much chaos there is on this planet and how much of it we’ve created on our own as a species, I personally feel like it’s a very comforting thought to imagine our last moments as peaceful, where we realize the next go around, or whatever the next phase we might enter into, has the opportunity to be more tranquil than the last. “Lullaby At The End Of The World” caps what has been an essentially flawless listening experience from start to finish, another solid contribution to art & music, and a real triumph in the Rasmus Fynbo catalog. I’m always going to look forward to what this dude comes up with next, and I truly wish that everyone out there put as much dedication & commitment into their material like this guy does, every time. A Speck Of Light is an authentically engaging album from its opening song straight on through to the last…Rasmus has achieved the impossible and somehow found a way to exceed the wildest hopes and expectations I could have had, delivering one of the most magnificently complete albums of 2024.
Find out more about Rasmus Fynbo from the official website at: https://rasmusfynbo.com
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