Janel & Anthony: New Moon In The Evil Age

The married duo of cellist Janel Leppin and guitarist Anthony Pirog are no strangers to pushing boundaries. Their collaborative work under the Janel & Anthony moniker has long been admired for its innovative blend of genres, and 2024 proves to be a particularly fruitful year for the duo. New Moon in the Evil Age arrives alongside Leppin's exploration with the larger Ensemble Volcanic Ash on To March is to Love (Cuneiform), highlighting the depth and versatility of her artistic vision.

New Moon in the Evil Age is a sprawling, ambitious work. Leppin's cello and Pirog's guitar form the core, their interplay a well-oiled machine after years of collaboration. However, the respective musicians add multiple instruments to their arsenal throughout. The album does not shy away from experimentation. Tracks like "Boom Boom" weave together intimacy, Americana and grandeur via softhearted melodic content and Pirog's lucid phrasings. "Pacific Grove Monarch" is outlined by Leppin's resonating lines that project lament amid Pirog's gentile acoustic guitar undercurrents as they close out the first disc with the ethereal "Crystal Wish," underscored with drifting electronic treatments.

The second disc sharply turns towards a more rock-driven sound, displaying a new dimension to Janel & Anthony's musical repertoire. Here, Leppin's cello takes a backseat, occasionally providing a haunting counterpoint or a warm low-end bed, while her vocals come to the forefront. Thus, her supple voice guides the leisurely ballad, "Evil Age." Leppin's vocals are a revelation, adding a new layer of power and emotional resonance to their music. While the first disc explores the complexities of the title with a more reflective approach, disc two throws a metaphorical Molotov cocktail at the Evil Age.

The lyrical themes on disc two seem to embrace the Evil Age more directly, with a touch of defiance and a yearning for something better. "Fly Over Iceland" progresses with a slow rock beat driven by Leppin's wistful vocals, as moments of vulnerability peek through, along with her streaming cello notes. However, on "Innocent Human," Leppin's vocals lead a mid-tempo rock cadence, surfacing as an up-tempo ballad with a catchy nouveau pop aura.

The double-album format allows Leppin and Pirog to explore a range of moods and textures. Certain moments are introspective and melancholic, reflecting the darkness alluded to in the title. Others, however, pulsate with defiant energy, a testament to the human spirit's ability to find beauty even in troubled times. The album is a harbinger of their continued creative exploration and a testament to their enduring musical partnership. In a world full of noise, this album stands out as a symphony of thoughtful rebellion and heartfelt soul-searching—truly, a soundtrack for both the revolution and the reflection.