III. Elephant

Time flies when you're having fun, as a famous saying says. Elephant debuted in 2022 and already released its third album. You can find both previous albums, 'Big Thing' (2022) and 'Shooting The Moon' (2023), on this blog, so it makes sense that III is here as well.

Yet, it's less logical than you might think. Both albums have not made a lasting impression on me.They were nice to have and not must haves. It's impossible to state where III will end up but getting acquainted with the album is nice. There's no doubt there.

Elephant, Frank Schalkwijk (vocals, guitar), Michael Broekhuizen (vocals, guitar), Bas Vosselman (vocals, bass/guitar) and Kaj van Driel (drums), have been touring parts of Europe by now and spend weeks on end together in a van. They were exposed to all the up and downsides of band life. If this has led to several different vantage points in the band's music, I can't tell. Fact is that there's a more electronic song, '20k', on the album and songs with guests Sophie Winterson and producer of the album, DeWolff's Pablo van der Poel.

The basis of III is of course Elephant's soft toned indie rock. The Rotterdam band is a modest band. With singers that sing with a soft voice. Not quite the showman who jumps up and down in front of "his" band. The music is mostly modest as well but does the talking. The effect the band wants to achieve is the listener lending his/her ears to the album. Within that concept there may be a somewhat louder song with a distinct guitar solo, like on 'Real Love'. The aim remains an alternative popsong that caresses the ears of the listener.

Photo: Satellite June

Elephant succeeds with flying colours in its goal. It presents songs I want to listen to and my feeling is more so than with its previous two records. III is more diverse and perhaps more mature and stable as well. Elephant has grown as a band and its members as songwriters and musicians. In other words, it has become far more interesting to listen to. Just listen to the jazzy guitar solo in 'Tried To Sleep' to get my drift.

Based on what I hear on III, Elephant deserves to set a next step in its career on route to bigger venues around Europe. Recommended listening the album is.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

Je kunt Elephant hier bestellen:

https://excelsior-recordings.com/en/products/elephant-iii