Detailed Reviews [Rumpistol - 2023 - "Going Inside"]

Prolusion. Danish venture Rumpistol is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Jens Berents Christiansen, and for the past two decades he has released material in a number of different styles and conventions. While initially starting out exploring the IDM universe, he has since moved onto other parts of the musical landscape and has also been the provider of score music for different kinds of productions. His latest album is called "Going Inside", and was released through the label Raske Plader in the fall of 2023.

Analysis. While this isn't an album that I will regard as belonging to any progressive music tradition as such, this is one of those albums I do come across from time to time that I suspect will have a fairly broad general appeal, and the landscapes explored on this album are ones that may well be of interest also for some people with a more firm interest in the progressive musical landscapes. I suspect the best general description of the music explored here is ambient music, and one that operate out from an electronic foundation. It is also a creation that expands this foundation into more organic and historic traditions, and this breach of traditions and conventions is one of those aspects of the album as a whole I suspect may appeal to some of those who otherwise look for the word progressive first when buying an album to enjoy. Some of the creations here comes with a distinct cosmic touch to them, with drones or other electronic textures used to create that feeling of floating in space that is a common feature in the creations of many ambient artists. In this case these elements, when present, are just about always accompanied by other elements that add a more organic feel to the landscapes explored, with the harp, the flute, the piano and string instruments all brought into play in a subtle or more dominant manner, and combined with the more cosmic landscapes this creates quite the impactful and appealing contrast. Outside of the cosmic escapades, we get dreamladen landscapes that makes use of elements from world music and classical music in particular to create beautiful and enthralling sonic paintings to immerse yourself in. Sometimes with a bit of a chamber music feel, on other occasions with perhaps a bit more of an orchestral touch applied, but also with creations that are closer tied to world music or western folk music. More often than not with a combination of such features being the norm, but occasionally also with more purebred side steps with a stronger focus on one or more of the traditions described. All along with electronic details binding everything together as a whole, and often with nature sounds adding a fantastic but also organic element to the proceedings. That some of the songs also makes use of elements pulled in from the jazz tradition probably merits a mention, albeit in this case these are applied with a subtle care and tend to be more unobtrusive in nature, used to expand the borders of the landscapes explored in a bit of a hidden manner. Another detail of note are the vocals, and while not present in all of the compositions they are striking, often ethereal and always beautiful when they are a part of any given composition. The mix and production are excellent throughout, with many good decisions being made along the way in terms of both enhancing, cloaking or otherwise subtly altering the presence of instruments and effects to create an enthralling and appealing experience for the listener while also retaining and preserving plenty of ear candy for the avid listener.

Conclusion. While I don't find this latest album by Rumpistol to be a production that falls inside of a progressive music tradition as such, I do find it to be a striking, compelling and appealing creation within the ambient music field. An album with music that subtly defies conventions or blend traditions in a slightly unusual and highly effective but always careful manner. Those with an interest in high quality ambient music that has been carefully crafted with a liberal array of details to enjoy should find this album to be quite the interesting experience. Especially if you tend to enjoy artists that blends in aspects from classical music and world music into an electronic ambient music context.

Progmessor: October 2023
The Rating Room