Detailed Reviews [Newspaperflyhunting - 2022 - "Time Regained"]

Prolusion. Polish band Newspaperflyhunting has been around for a dozen years or thereabouts at this point, releasing new material at a steady pace. "Time Regained" is their fifth full length studio album, and was self released in the fall of 2022.

Analysis. Newspaperflyhunting started out as a bit more of a post-rock oriented venture from what I can recall, but they are among the bands that have chosen to develop out from this foundation rather than trying to perfect the approach they started out with. Hence there's a sense of development from one album to the nest, and the steps they take appear to be gradual, following a natural rather than a forced line of development. Presumably driven by developing their skillsets as composers and performers, as well as the unconscious and perhaps sometimes conscious addition of subtle details or a specific approach, sound or atmosphere. In this case we then get a band that at this stage falls a bit outside of the common pathways, incorporating a number of different flavors of music with as well as without a direct connection to progressive rock. Ambient, careful and dreamladen landscapes are explored, at times with a frail, ethereal quality. Some slight left turns into Floydian landscapes is a part of the experience too, with as well as without cosmic flavoring. A little bit of jazz sneaks in through the rhythm department at times, while in the broader scope of matters elements from grunge and a broader approach that can be described as alternative rock is explored a bit more in depth here and there. Noise rock details flavor some of the soundscapes here, while elements as well as full arrangements from post-rock is a recurring experience throughout. What can be described as progressive metal has been added to the mix at some point too, and in between everything else we get quite a lot of fairly gentle psychedelic rock with a dreamladen touch and execution. This is a production that comes with a liberal array of variation, and the most interesting aspect of this is that everything is seamlessly tied together. The developments are logical and natural, and nothing ever feels out of place. Good planning and execution is obviously a factor in the creation of this album, as combining as many and as different sounds and elements as is the case here isn't easy to accomplish, and is a skillset that has to be developed over time. The vocals aren't quite at the level as the other elements that make up this album though, and while not a detrimental element it is a factor that may limit the overall appeal of this production somewhat.

Conclusion. This latest album by Newspaperflyhunting is an adventurous and inclusive amalgam of a multitude of details and style elements from many different sources, combined in a manner not too many others have done before them. At least to my knowledge. Progressive psychedelic rock with an alternative undercurrent and post-rock flavoring is perhaps a useful description and indication of the material you will encounter here, and if that sounds interesting, chances are good that you will find this album to be rather enjoyable I surmise.

Progmessor: November 2022
The Rating Room