ASTRONAUTICA

After buying this album solely for its cover, I was delighted to find the music contained therein matched the artwork quite nicely. A trip in itself, "Astronautica" is an instrumental album lush with spacious sounds that drip with satisfyingly psychedelic musings. While this is no great masterpiece of progressive rock, I would not hesitate in declaring it an excellent addition to my collection due chiefly to the likeness of the music in regards to the very definition of the genre. If someone were to ask me "what is prog?" I'd turn to this album.

Hidria Spacefolk demonstrate a heavy background of driving rhythm sections that keep the album exciting. There is an abundance of head-bobbing melodies which isolate the songs in their own right. "Ad Astra" opens with the feeling of one beset on a mystical quest or journey; no doubt related to whatever is happening on the album cover, which is honestly wonderful to look at. "Cycloop" may be the least exciting on here but that does not mean it should be ignored. Better to know the full album than just four songs, in my honest opinion. "Badding" is my personal favorite because it appears to be the most mature. It truly progresses into a wonderful song that stands out immediately after the first listen. "Endymion" incorporates the use of bells in an interestingly successful way. Another great walk through space. "Seirenes" is close to the third track in maturity. There are several change-ups that keep the song fresh and invigorating. It ends the album almost abruptly and in the tone like posing a question, allowing us to interpret the final chapter of whatever story has been traversing our mind the past 46 minutes.

While most people (myself included) would tell you not to judge a book by its cover, you are free to do so here. A psychedelic adventure through space and probably time as well. This album is an excellent one, and I would recommend it to any fan of the genre it belongs to.