Janosch Moldau – Host (Album – Janosch Moldau Records)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: German electro-pop project Janosch Moldau has already been active for numerous years now. Most productions were self-released, but two albums were also released by Motor. “Host” is the newest full length by the artist featuring ten songs.
Content: The album takes off with the single “Broken Shoulder”, which stands for sweet melancholia. It’s fully representative for the style and sound of this work. Some passages are into ballad style, others feel a bit like complaining, but the album first of all reflects a deeply emotional touch. The songs have been sometimes accomplished by surprising and somewhat experimental sound treatments. I also noticed a few ‘harder’ cuts, which have something danceable (cf. “Simon Of Cyrenne” and “Emotionally”).
+ + + : I’ve never been that impressed by the sound and work of Janosch Moldau, but I have to admit this album took me by surprise. It’s maybe not that different from previous works, but it sounds more mature and especially intimate. Some sound treatments took me by surprise for their experimental and somewhat raw format. The last song “Abel”, which is not my favorite, however reveals this experimental touch. Last, but not least, I also enjoyed the deeply emotional vocals of Janosch Moldau. It vocals’ production accentuate the melancholia this artist has been inspired by.
– – – : This is not exactly the kind of electro-pop music to dance to, but mainly to listen to. It remains a challenge.
Conclusion: “Host” stands for melancholia, intimacy and a touch of experimentalism!
Best songs: “Simon Of Cyrenne”, “Emotionally”, “Angel Of Hope”, “Sacred Love”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.janoschmoldau.com / www.facebook.com/moldaujanosch
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
