Sverre Gjørvad: Time To Illuminate Earth

Recorded in July 2021, mixed and mastered in September and released in October. Now that's what a tight release schedule looks like. Frisellian shimmer and sparsely percussive drumming return on Sverre Gjørvad's follow-up to the surprisingly resonant Elegy of Skies (Losen Records, 2020). The short period of time it took to produce Time To Illuminate Earth doesn't reflect the length of the music's effect. Gjørvad builds on the strengths of his earlier album—an eerie minimalism paired with pristine acoustics—and adds a dash of haze and darkness to the mix this time out.

Opening with the only cut not penned by the drummer/leader, the album gets to an effortless start with Andy Patridge's "All Of A Sudden (it's too late)," originally on XTC's English Settlement from 1982. Gjørvad's take on the tune is beautifully arranged, presenting soft tremolo guitarscapes and, in a surprising instrumental addition, a woody-toned bassoon. The latter (which unfortunately only returns once on the closing track) leads the proceedings with melodic stride in close interplay with the piano.

As the percussive elements grow more omnipresent, the album turns cloudier and fizzles into an atmospheric mist. On the way there "Skårjage" offers intimate whims with folk elements, "The Neighborhood Pond" introduces freedom and deconstruction and "Never Again" demonstrates a short, knotty conversation led by four partakers in equal measures.

"Massively Uncomfortable Rock" sounds like something that could have happened if AC/DC ever teamed up with King Crimson, but might be a bit easier to listen to than intended. Which goes for a couple of the ideas spread across the latter half of the record, that don't seem entirely fleshed out and instead intrigue, only scratching the surface of the possibilities at hand. They are however expertly captured, presented in crisp sonics as lyrical guitar swells lead to stomping drum beats, setting a unique mood. A great extension to Elegy of Skies and a worthy addition to Gjørvad's oeuvre.