Jackson Van Horn – A Silent Understanding (Album – Manic Depression Records / Icy Cold Records)
Genre/Influences: Dream-Pop, Wave-Pop, Cinematographic.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: This is the second full length album by American artist Jackson VanHorn. The work has already been released as a collaboration between French labels Manic Depression Records and Icy Cold Records. The work is inspired by literary- and cinematic influences with a philosophical touch on top.
Content: The album mainly reflects Dream-Pop influences, which the multi-instrumentalist accomplished with melancholic passages composed by guitar and electronics. The songs have been completed with delicate arrangements and a melodies. Jackson VanHorn’s deep- and sensual timbre of voice remains one of the main characteristics of the album. The second part of the work sounds more evasive and into Cinematographic music.
+ + + : The debut part of this work is really great and sounds like a delicate sonic caress. The first 3 songs are deeply artistic revealing a perfect balance between melodies and melancholia with the sensual voice on top. The dark interpretation has something enlightening… I also like the delicacy of this work, which is mainly coming through with the subtle arrangements.
– – – : The second part of the work is definitely more into reverie and Cinematographic music, but not exactly the most convincing side of the album.
Conclusion: Jackson VanHorn republishes his sweet melancholic approach of Dream-Pop, but I prefer this album to its predecessor.
Best songs: “Invisible Hand”, “Common Era”, “Two Evils”, “Lady Of Light”.
Rate: 7½.
Artist: www.facebook.com/JacksonVanHornMusic
Labels: www.manicdepressionrecords.com / www.facebook.com/manicdepressionrecords / www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords
About Jackson VanHorn
Jackson VanHorn is an American multi-instrumentalist and singer. He recorded with the Lafayette, Indiana post-punk band TV Ghost before working under his own name, starting with a self-titled cassette EP on Jerkwave Tapes in 2008.
The singles “Desire” and “Burn” appeared on Stupid Decisions in 2017, followed by the LP “blood” in 2018 and further releases including “hvn” in 2019 and “After The Rehearsal” and “Saturnine” in 2020. The remix set “After The Rehearsal Reworks” and the album reviewed here both date from 2021, the latter co-released by Manic Depression Records and Icy Cold Records. VanHorn has also appeared on both labels’ compilations.
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