I’ve got to tell you, there’s nothing I love more than when something truly unique lands on my desk. I’m always on the hunt for those genre-bending, style-fusing tracks that make me go, “Whoa, I’ve never heard anything like this before.” And that’s exactly what I got with ‘test of time’ by the enigmatically named ‘you wouldn’t know him’.
Now, let’s talk about that name for a second. ‘you wouldn’t know him’ – it’s not just a clever moniker, it’s kinda the real deal. This artist is embracing anonymity in a way that’s got me interested. I mean, think about it – this could be anyone. My next-door neighbor, your cousin’s best friend, heck, maybe even a famous musician trying their hand at something completely different.
Speaking of which, I’m going to drop a little spoiler here – at some point in this review, I’m going to refer to this as acoustic doom metal. Yeah, you read that right. For all we know, this could be Kerry King from Slayer deciding to put out an acoustic album. Wouldn’t that be something?
But you know what? That mystery, that anonymity – it’s part of what makes this album so fascinating. It lets the music speak for itself, without any preconceptions or expectations based on who the artist might be.
All I know for sure is that I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It’s fresh, it’s different, and it’s got me excited about music in a way I haven’t felt in a while. So, let’s take a closer look at what makes ‘test of time’ so special.
The album kicks off with “keeping a promise,” a track that really grabbed me with its warm, inviting tone. The opening riff sets up for a nice pacing steadily through the song and making for a comfortable atmosphere. What’s particularly interesting is the subtle rough edge to the sound – it’s not in-your-face, but it adds a nice texture to the overall experience.
As the track progresses, it takes a pretty cool turn. A lonely guitar riff emerges, bringing with it an almost tropical feel. It’s as if you’ve been transported to a secluded beach, the sound washing over you like gentle waves. And it being right in the middle of summer, that sounds pretty appropriate right now.
The dreamy quality of the music is further enhanced when the vocals enter. They blend so well with the instrumentation, creating a cohesive and nice listening experience It’s worth noting the clever use of harmony overlays throughout the track. These additions genuinely enhance the emotional impact of the song. I just love how this was done.
“face the void” takes a slightly different approach, presenting a more raw and unfiltered sound compared to the opening track. While the excellent acoustic work remains a constant, this song stands out with its increased emphasis on percussion and a heavier overall feel.
The track’s flow is particularly cool I think. It follows a compelling pattern that draws you in from the start and doesn’t let go. There’s an interesting duality at play here – on one hand, the song has a relaxing quality that could easily lull you into a peaceful state. Yet, simultaneously, it really does make you want to pay attention in a way that’s hard to ignore.
This unique combination of elements creates an experience that’s difficult to compare to other the songs. It’s the kind of music that could serve as perfect background ambiance when you’re looking to unwind, but it also has the power to hit you completely if you choose to focus on it. There is also this really cool whistling section.
It’s a creative little addition that adds a playful touch to the track. You might find yourself unconsciously joining in, whistling along as you listen. This element makes for a super clever hook, potentially pulling you out of any trance-like state the rest of the song may have induced.
To me, this song feels like it can be about independence, self-reliance, and standing firm in one’s convictions. There are these isolation moments or feeling misunderstood, as well as a sense of breaking free from constraints. like the part of falling free of gravity maybe has this feeling of liberation or release. And I really think here, the attention-grabbing nature of the song combined with its relaxing elements could reflect this tension between isolation and freedom.
‘painting (of) a sunken ship’ comes next on the album. This track’s title resonates personally, as I have several paintings of sunken ships decorating my home. One in particular depicts the underwater level Dire, Dire Docks from Super Mario 64. It’s a bit nerdy, I admit, but I’ve always been drawn to nautical themes.
Now I approach this song, wondering how it might evoke similar imagery or emotions tied to these artistic depictions of submerged vessels. The title alone conjures thoughts of mystery, depth, and hidden beauty. And I have to say, after listening to it, it does indeed reveal quite the treasure.
The track maintains the warm acoustic guitar tones that have become a signature of the album, but it introduces new elements that set it apart. In the background, there’s a subtle yet impactful addition of what sounds like strings and light orchestrations. These elements are so delicately woven into the fabric of the song that they’re almost imperceptible at first listen. However, once noticed, they significantly contribute to the track’s atmosphere, adding a really nice richness to the overall sound.
This song exemplifies a recurring theme in the album – a really cool duality in the music. There’s a hardness to it, an edge that’s undeniably present, yet it’s delivered in an incredibly soft and calm manner. It’s a contradiction that shouldn’t work, but somehow does, creating a sound that’s truly distinctive.
I mean, the combination of these elements – the warm acoustics, the subtle orchestrations, and this soft-yet-hard quality – results in a listening experience that’s difficult to compare to other genres. And this, this right here folks is the kind of thing I love.
‘siphon recorder’ marks a shift in the album’s energy, introducing a more lively and upbeat style to the mix. This track injects a fresh dose of vigor into the record, setting it apart from the previous songs that have come before it. The placement of this more energetic piece at the fifth spot on the album is great, I feel. It comes at a point where it can reinvigorate your attention. Then again I’m just a bit of a nerd when it comes to full playthrough experiences on albums, and where something is placed is kind of important to me.
Now this song kicks off with this staticky wave sound, like I’m trying to make out what’s about to come through on the airwaves. It’s got more of those progressive variations and changes that I’ve come to love in this album. This is personally one of my favorite tracks on the record, which is saying something because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single song so far.
The way it keeps changing up really grabs me. I find myself constantly enjoying where the song goes next. It’s not just the changes though – there’s a beauty to it that I can’t quite put into words. I keep coming back to this track, finding new things to appreciate each time. What really stands out to me is how it manages to be both complex and beautiful at the same time. Which I guess, I can say that about this record in general.
‘untitled (and therefore titled)’ wraps up the album, and I’ve got to say, that’s a clever name for a song. It fits perfectly with the mysterious vibe of this artist. As soon as I hit play, I’m greeted by this weird echoing sound. It’s like I’m standing in a hallway, hearing the music bounce off the walls. There’s this ricocheting effect that’s super subtle and brief, but it for sure is attention grabbing.
I’m very much drawn to the guitar melody on this track. It’s got this carefree charm that I can’t help but love. It feels like the perfect way to wrap up the album. But then, out of nowhere, this song takes a hard left turn. The last portion of the track fires up into an outright banger. I’m talking heavy, intense, almost doom vibes. It’s such a stark contrast to how it started.
I never thought I’d say this about an album that’s been largely acoustic and mellow, but if I had to describe this final track, I’d call it acoustic progressive doom metal. It’s such a weird combination of words, but it’s the only way I can accurately capture what I’m hearing.
I’ve got to say, after spending time with this album, it is indeed melancholic acoustic music, but that doesn’t quite capture how special it is. It’s consistent, sure – you know what you’re getting into – but it’s also unique in a way that’s hard to pin down.
He has taken a familiar sound and given it his own twist. It’s not a reinventing the wheel, but it’s different enough to stand out. They’ve added their own flair to the acoustic genre, and it really works. What impressed me most was how engaging it remained through multiple listens. I never found myself getting bored or wanting to skip tracks. Each song held my attention, which is pretty rare for me.
If you’re into acoustic music, I can’t recommend this album enough. It’s been one of the coolest discoveries I’ve made this year. There’s something about it that just clicks – it’s familiar enough to be comfortable, but unique enough to be exciting.
