Oak: The Third Sleep

The Third Sleep is the fourth album from Oslo's Oak—a Norwegian progressive rock outfit that began as a folk-rock duo in 2013 before expanding into a quartet known for atmospheric and melancholic soundscapes that blend post-rock restraint, melodic prog and occasional heavier edges reminiscent of Katatonia, Porcupine Tree and Anathema.

Existing in the gray zone between waking consciousness and the drift into something deeper, the album continues the band's lyrical descent into the darker corridors of the mind, following The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise (Karisma, 2022). These songs do not announce themselves with fanfare. Instead, they creep into the room and take up residence in the corners where the light does not reach.

Each instrument is given space to breathe yet never allowed to wander too far from the pack. Guitars shimmer and recede like heat mirages. The vocals hover between a whisper and a confession you were not meant to overhear, signaling a group that understands the power of restraint and is confident enough to trust it.

The journey begins with "No Such Place," a spacy six-minute slow to mid-tempo rumination that establishes the album's patient nature. Simen Valldal Johannessen's distinctive vocals brim with yearning as the track gradually builds atmosphere rather than racing toward a hook. Steinar Refsdal's spirited sax lines add warmth and color without disturbing the mood. "London" follows, its relative brevity allowing a melody to surface with welcome clarity. Later, "Run Into the Sun" finds the band leaning into more propulsive instincts. Even here, the energy unfolds with the unhurried grace of a sunrise, providing a lift to the album's midsection and delivering another memorably melodic hook.

The title "Shimmer" proves almost literal as the track hovers in space, guitars catching the light at different angles to create a hypnotic ambient glow. Drifting keyboard effects and the saxophonist's soul-drenched phrasing float atop a gently pulsating backbeat, reinforcing the album's immersive pull. "Sensory Overload" closes the collection with a title that feels intentionally ironic given Oak's unwavering commitment to understatement.

By working within a deliberately narrow palette, Oak ensures these works share a common DNA, functioning best as a complete listening experience rather than a grab bag of standout tracks. There is real artistry at work. The Third Sleep is a confident and resonant album that rewards close listening, deepens with repeated spins and demonstrates a band fully in command of its aesthetic. It does not rely on the customary prog-rock bedazzlement of polyrhythmic fireworks or instrumental excess. Instead, it trusts mood, patience and emotional weight—and that restraint proves both purposeful and persuasive.

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