A whole decade has passed since Kent post-rockers Yndi Halda unleashed the subtle beauty of ‘Enjoy Eternal Bliss’, a title that adequately reflected their dreamy expanse. Much has changed in those ten years, not least their adoption of vocals, yet fundamentally ‘Under Summer’ picks up where their debut left off; continuing their immersive emotional roller-coaster, one that might stoke a singular impromptu tear.
Even with each track sitting somewhere near the fifteen minute mark, “epic” doesn’t do ‘Under Summer’ justice. The crescendos are subdued, there are no quote-unquote big moments. The record instead thrives on its understated sophistication. Opening with the South East Asian inspired ‘Together Those Leaves’, the tracks evolve into enchanting whispers. In its final moments, ‘This Very Fight’ trickles into nothing, never is a fanfare necessary.
‘Under Summer’ is crushing in its elegance. Effortlessly dreamlike, it deconstructs itself into natural beauty. Never does it impose, gently simmering in its ethereal state. Yndi Halda prove that post-rock can exist without cataclysmic moments, and that pure beauty can exist in the most reserved sounds. ‘Under Summer’ is a thing of pure beauty, moulding itself to accompany and enhance your emotion of choice.
BEN TIPPLE