Abloom. Caspar Auwerkerken

Over the past months the name Caspar Auwerkerken could be found on this blog. In the singles section, to be precise. Today you find Auwerkerken's debut, the six song mini album Abloom. Expect to be mesmerised by the soft, slow but elaborate sound of the songs.

The Hasselaar may release his first album, there is no economising on the music. Like in the days that a debut album could be as big in sound and approach like 'Chicago Transit Authority' or 'Nina Hagen Band', Caspar Ouwerkerken manages to blow up his songs into huge proportions, making the most of his first impression on music fans. Here the resemblances with the older acts stop though.

Abloom is an album filled with ballads. Not in the sense of modest softly rippling music. No, Abloom comes with a bang. The songs flourish, float, vibrate, are very much alive and sissling. It's the voice that constitutes the truly soft side of the album. As if searching his way around the melody, Auwerkerken delivers his vocals. It is here that Thom Yorke comes to mind, with Caspar Ouwerkerken's the more pleasant to listen to. Hesitation could be another good description for the vocal delivery.

The way of singing is not always reflected in the music. The huge sound that at times is created by a full band and string section contradicts any hesitance. The contradictions adds to the beauty of the music.

Somewhere deep down the young man and his guitar in the bedroom creating his songs can still be heard. From the beginning he knew though that his songs would never be reproduced at the campfire. For that they are to complex but also not melodic enough. This last aspect shines through in the whole of the song, in the wide ranging arrangements. Here the true strength of the songs shine through. So, yes, there is another resemblance with Radiohead here. It's a band Caspar Auwerkerken has listened to for sure while growing up.

For me though, most of the time, Radiohead is an acquired taste. Abloom and the singles preceding it were love at first hear. There's more though. Opening song 'Hiacynth' brings Sophia to mind for example, an artist now working from Belgium so I understand.

Abloom is a six song debut album that, if anything, shows the great potential Caspar Auwerkerken has. He has the courage to go full out on his first album and it pays off. The depth and width of the music are striking, as is the quality on display. Bring on more soon!

Wout de Natris