Author Archives: Arcana

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About Arcana

My name is Ben Hogwood, editor of the Arcana music site (arcana.fm)

On Record – Wolfgang Valbrun – Flawed By Design (Jalapeno Records)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Wolfgang Valbrun is the lead singer of successful UK band ephemerals, who have attracted a worldwide following for their leftfield soul and jazz over the last 12 years. He has also worked with the French band GUTS, but more recently has branched out for his first solo album under his own name.

Working with a band based in Bristol, Valbrun wrote his album as ‘a powerful and introspective look at human frailty’, blurring the lines between soul, jazz and rock.

What’s the music like?

Meaningful, soulful and incredibly assured.

Valbrun is a natural vocalist, and he sings in a way that is immediately identifiable. The lyrics mean a great deal to him, which sounds like an obvious thing to say, but it is amazing how many singers do not always bring this across or get lost in the production. Not in this case.

Songs like Keep Your Head Up, Some Day and Where Is The Peace acknowledge the trials and tribulations of everyday life, in a way that is immediately relatable, but Valbrun’s message is that for his listeners not to give up, to harness their inner strength and to keep persevering. The latter of the three is especially powerful, a protest song questioning Valbrun’s home country of France and their approach to minorities. It does so in a strong yet cogent language.

In the wrong hands this could sound empty, but there is such substance to Valbrun’s singing, and the songs are so well-written, that by the time you’re heading for the closing title track you are suitably enriched. Flawed By Design is a fine closing number, but if anything the preceding Baptist is more powerful, Valbrun’s honesty and vulnerability laid bare.

Does it all work?

It does. Music, lyrics, production – all match up ideally here on a modern soul record to treasure.

Is it recommended?

It is. Wolfgang Valbrun has a voice of real presence, and given the music to match it he should go a long way. Flawed By Design scores highly for being an authentic soul album, one that doesn’t shy away from the problems of the modern world. Instead, by embracing them, Valbrun gives us hope and assurance. Definitely a voice to watch!

For fans of… Eli Reed, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Alabama Shakes, Quantic Soul Orchestra

Listen and Buy

Published post no.2,227 – Tuesday 2 July 2024

New music – Bruce Brubaker: Eno Piano 2.0 (InFiné)

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by Ben Hogwood

One of the standout piano albums of last year was Bruce Brubaker’s Eno Piano, a reduction of some of the ambient master’s work for solo keyboard – about which Brubaker and Arcana had a very enjoyable conversation last year.

Now we bring news of a sequel later in the year, with Eno Piano 2 due to be released on 25 October. It is prefaced by a radio version of 1-1 from Music for Airports, which will no doubt be made available soon. In the meantime, you can enjoy being reacquainted with the full version below:

Published post no.2,216 – Monday 1 July 2024

Another serenade for an early summer evening…

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…from the pen of Antonin Dvořák, who wrote two irresistibly charming works in the form – one for strings, and this Serenade for Wind Instruments in D minor, published as Op.44. It has quite a serious tone to begin with – but the wonderful sonorities come through, as in this performance from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, filmed in Cadogan Hall in 2021:

Published post no.2,225 – Sunday 30 June 2024

Switched On – BUNKR: Antenne (VLSI)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

BUNKR‘s third album is centred around Antenne, a 24-hour pirate station transmitting instrumental music only, “devoid of any human voice to provide us with clues. No big ups for the SW9 crew, no ads for the turbo-sound rave with safe security.  The 97.9 FM frequency was vibrant with all manner of cosmic, unending playlists of widescreen techno, breakbeats, ambient washes and occasional forays into obscure German synth music.”

The commentary goes on. “Who or what was behind Antenne we may never know; without doubt the unknown makes it all the more alluring. But this album serves to keep the memory of Antenne alive along with the countless other faceless pirate stations from the golden era of electronic music. Just maybe those radio waves continue to hurtle through space like gradually decaying echoes from a once brave new world, readying to connect with our brothers and sisters on the back side of the sun.

Antenne transmitted and informed, we listened and absorbed.”

What’s the music like?

The concept is an ideal one for BUNKR’s music – which could indeed have been teleported from 1996 – but has certainly come via a contemporary mind that knows how to make things fit in the modern world. Antenne flows beautifully, like one of those DJ sets, with BUNKR – aka James Dean – securing music of great fluidity and no little energy.

The beats have more breaks this time round, and his music feels faster, the likes of I Feel Eye See, Controller 29 and Nectar Rushes tearing up ground with very different beats, as they cleverly and energetically intertwine their loops. There is still room for the slower atmospheric grooves we know he can produce, Ceres Outpost and Waiting In Tofino the pair of beauties appearing on here. Meanwhile Oriam Speedway works intricate bleeps and percussion into formation.

Does it all work?

It does. BUNKR’s music is as expressive as ever, the moody soundscapes painting many a picture – and working so well in instrumental form. The greater variety of beats is the icing on the cake.

Is it recommended?

Enthusiastically. James Dean is a prolific writer – this is his third long player in five years – but each one adds a thrilling chapter to what is turning into a compelling story. If atmospheric electronic grooves are your thing, then you need look no further.

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Published post no.2,224 – Saturday 29 June 2024

Switched On – Dapayk & Padberg: In Between (Fruehling / Sonderling Records)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

With two decades of cutting edge pop music behind them, Eva Padberg and Niklas Worgt return with a slick set of tunes and grooves, described as “their most multifaceted and layered long player yet”.

What’s the music like?

Punchy, poppy and very enjoyable. The pair know how to write a good pop song, and the ten nuggets here are very well formed and extremely well executed.

Hooks, lithe bass lines and supple rhythms are in plentiful supply, and the strap lines are brilliantly delivered. In Between captures all of these qualities, its leading line – “that’s where you’ll find me” – doing the trick. Meanwhile songs like It’s All Yours have a great match of riffing and rhythm.

Does it all work?

It does – the only complaint being that it’s all over a bit too soon.

Is it recommended?

It is. This is an upfront score of electro pop tunes, winningly delivered.

Listen

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,223 – Friday 28 June 2024