MYCELIUM DAYS

"Mycelium Days", released in 2020, is the second studio album from the Oslo-based art rock group Yobrepus (pronounced Superboy according to their website), following their debut "Blakc Mould" from 2017. While the debut is characterized by "Radiohead-inspired sadcore, trip-hop and quirky indie folk" (according to prog magazine, quoting from their website), the followup is more prog-tinged, even featuring a 22-minute epic.

I found this album via an advertisement on Reddit. I could somehow instantly tell by the album cover on the ad that I was going to like it, since the color scheme reminded me of that of the album cover of "Love Over Gold", my favorite Dire Straits album. Without further ado, I went to Spotify and put on the album. In the end, I was really not disappointed. What impressed me the most was, more than the music itself, how it moved me emotionally.

This is a very moody and melancholic album, which one can almost tell by the album cover. It is the perfect album to listen to while it is dark or rainy outside, or if you are feeling depressed but just not depressed enough. While at a first listen it might just seem like some sort of mellow background noise, it soon becomes clear that the album is much more than ambient noodling. In fact, this is a prime example of an album that manages to create a characteristic sound (with indie- and sadcore influences and slight resemblances to Porcupine Tree and Pink Floyd) and beautiful soundscapes without showing off too much technical proficiency from the musicians. Without trying too hard, in other words. You have the powerful guitars, the heavy drums, the dark, atmospheric keyboards and the emotional but not exaggeratedly strong vocals.

The song I am the most excited to talk about is the opener, a 22-minute epic sharing its name with the album. First, you have the nearly four minute long intro, creating dark landscapes only using keyboard and guitar sounds, much like a book introducing you to the story by throwing you into the setting. The mood then becomes more eerie, with the suspenseful drums and the sorrowful vocals. The song continues to move between different settings, all of them with a different mood. It is a journey, like a story in and of itself, putting you through several environments, emotions and stand-offs with the inevitable truth. This is of course the true masterpiece of the album.

The following track, "What If?", has pretty much the same feeling throughout the song, being built on a continuous acoustic guitar melody, a cool snare drum beat and rich, soothing keyboard sounds. Another very melancholic song, the best way to describe the mood would be something close to "on the verge of giving up".

"Down" is more fast-paced and energetic than all the other songs on the album, which does not necessarily mean happier but rather angrier. Out of all the songs on the album, the vocals on this song are my favorites. The singer sounds a lot like an old man regretting his past and knowing that he does not have enough time making up for it.

"Step Up" is another highlight on the album. This song is way more abstract and surreal than the other tracks, experimenting with what sounds like robotic voices and video game music in the background. I also have to point out the drums, being mixed in a way that creates a delightful mix between atmospheric and rhythmic.

"Wangari" feels like you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a circle of clerics planning to sacrifice you. The chorus sounds like some sort of strange ritualistic chant, and the entire song manages to create a sense of suspense and fear. It also contains some surreal elements like a robotic voice and what sounds like a speech from a politician in the background.

The last song, "Piao", is also the saddest one, leaving out the guitar, bass and drums entirely. The song focuses on creating a dark atmosphere with only keyboards and piano, and the result almost feels like a funeral with you being lowered into the pit. And that concludes "Mycelium Days".

Part of the reason why I am writing this review is to promote this album. While there are thousands of good artists that will likely never be seen or heard by more than a handful of people, I believe this has a lot of potential to be appreciated by a wider community. I must admit that I might have a bias because of the personal connection I have to this album. A strong 9/10 from me nevertheless. To get the most effect out of the album as possible, make sure to feel relaxed and darken the room before putting it on.