Junip – Junip

At a first spin, Junip’s second effort, the self-titled Junip fails to draw the listener’s attention. The ten tracks comprising the album all seem very similar to one another and not particularly interesting.

It is however true that first impressions are misleading. In fact, on second thoughts the record’s credibility is easily restored because its sound finds comfort and strength in the very nonchalant halo surrounding it, suiting a detached, pensive mood. Junip is a series of soft lullabies fit to rock the cradle whenever we need a break from the constant noise filling our worlds.

Smooth and caressing, each tune sweeps over like a gentle breeze. The harp-like echoes produced by Tobias Winterkorn’s keyboard and the beats generated by Elias Araya’s percussion create melodies recalling distant, uncontaminated islands where people escape to forget about their busy, complicated lives. José González’s ethereal voice also adds to the melancholic feel that characterises Junip.

The LP starts off with Line of Fire, which was released as the first single – a quiet yet rhythmic song whose tempo grows in a crescendo then muffles at the end. Suddenly follows it, featuring a strange dark-hued atmosphere alongside a tribal beat, the juxtaposition making for quite a peculiar result.

Overall, there are almost no surprises to be found in Junip as the combination of the distorted synth sounds and the constant maraca-like rhythm of the drums rule the whole album. It is nonetheless a good record to listen to, providing a nice background to any activity as well as being in itself a deeply enthralling suite of ambient lullabies to get lost in.

Rita Vicinanza

Junip is released on 22^nd April 2013. For further information or to order the album visit Junip’s website here.

Watch the video for Line of Fire here: