Peter Bjärgö – Structures And Downfall (CD Album – Cyclic Law)

Genre/Influences: Dark-cinematographic, neo-folk, chanson.

Background/Info: Peter Bjärgö doesn’t really need any further introduction. He was the artistic spirit and instigator behind Arcana, but got also involved in other projects. He’s now mainly focusing on his solo-project unleashing his fourth full length album (the thirds one released by Cyclic Law).

Content: “Structures And Downfall” moves on where the previous album (cf. “Animus Retinentia”) stopped. It’s an intimate and sometimes sensible exposure of a sonic universe mixing elements of dark-cinematographic music together with ‘chanson’ together. The songs are supported with melancholia. The sensible piano arrangements reinforce the sadness running through this composition. It’s a dreamy experience carried by a slow rhythm, which sometimes becomes a bit tribal-like. The guitar playing creates this neo-folk and chanson feeling. Peter Bjärgö deep timbre of voice creates a perfect match with the music.

+ + + : The intimate aspect of the album is once again one of the main characteristics and strengths. Peter Bjärgö is touched by the magic of melancholia, inviting the listener to discover an imaginary world of sadness. But is it that imaginary or is it just the transposition of the artist’s inner state into sound? I sometimes felt like a voyeur, the work being that personal. The last song brings a perfect apotheosis to this dark dream.

– – – : The last cut “Winter Song” is the true climax and reference of the album. I regret that there are no more songs leading towards this ultimate, artistic point.

Conclusion: Peter Bjärgö solo is not comparable to Arcana and still reveals all the sensibility and fragility of this musician.

Best songs: “Winter Song”, “Anemoia & Onism”, “Dreaming Of Some Purpose”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /ceciliabjargoart

Label: www .cycliclaw .com / www .facebook .com /cycliclaw

Since you’re here …

… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.

If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The donations are safely powered by Paypal.