Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Lowercase Noises, The Swiss Illness
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Lowercase Noises
The Swiss Illness



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Ambient / Instrumental
Album length: 8 tracks: 42 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: May 19, 2017


READER RATING:   


Last week found me traversing through the Southwest corner of the US with 80 other musicians. As our buses swept by hours of endless desert and barren plains, I found myself constantly sinking into the dramatic swells and instrumental themes of Andy Othling's latest project, The Swiss Illness. Born out of the history of the word "nostalgia," which is rooted in Swiss doctors studying the physical and emotional ailments of traveling mercenaries, Othling's release under the moniker Lowercase Noises transports listeners into a journey of sentimental yearning.

An instrumental ambient album that sonically centers around the pedalboard of an electric guitar runs the risk of being mundane and indistinct, however, Othling utilizes recognizably unique palettes that help every moment feel fresh. Simple piano themes are emphasized by their percussive, grainy textures that conjure up images of the past. Effects such as the faint plucking of a typewriter and constant static help the repetitive pads and pure guitar tones come to life. The runtime of the album consists entirely of drawn-out soundscapes over minimalistic chord progressions, but Othling's intentional tactile choices make sure it doesn't grow old.

The Swiss Illness also features a number of refreshing surprises throughout its tracklist. The opening piece, "A Universal Weakness," seems content riding atop wavy synths for a few minutes, but it suddenly switches to a piano-based theme that is complemented by the counter-melody of an acoustic guitar. The warmth of cellos surge underneath these ideas, providing flashes of homesickness amidst the polyrhythms of the other instruments. These motifs are re-explored with greater harmony in "Evident Signs of Recovery," helping the album feel unified as it reaches its conclusion. The final track, "From: A Bitter Grief," finally arrives at the present tense with a clear-as-day, effect-less piano theme that can only be described as the aural representation of the feeling of nostalgia.

Aside from the gorgeous patterns of The Swiss Illness, the album curiously comes out of the risqué rock label BadChristian. Co-founder of the label Matt Carter recently noted in their eponymous podcast as to why they signed Lowercase Noises and what makes this album in particular so engaging: it forces you to listen. An album of atmosphere such as this one defies pop expectations and provides listeners who apply themselves to this experience with much deeper rewards.

Although there is nothing expressly Christian about an instrumental ambient album, the ebb and flow of emotion that persists throughout The Swiss Illness can certainly create a worshipful, meditative environment for listeners to dwell in. I'd recommend touring the vast landscapes of Arizona with other like-minded people on a mission to lead others in worship, but that's merely because that's where my experience with this album lead me. Regardless of when and where you listen to it, the nostalgic undercurrents of this project will ornament that moment in time permanently.

- Review date: 5/16/17, written by Mason Haynie of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: BC Music
. Album length: 8 tracks: 42 minutes, 1 second
. Street Date: May 19, 2017
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. A Universal Weakness (11:49)
  2. From: Habit (1:04)
  3. A Course of Strengthening Medicines (5:45)
  4. From: Memories (1:06)
  5. The Last Stage of Consumption (8:07)
  6. From: The Thousand Circumstances (1:12)
  7. Evident Signs of Recovery (10:22)
  8. From: A Bitter Grief (2:38)

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images