René Rutten' is no stranger to the progressive music scene since he was the founder with his brother 'Hans' of the group 'The Gathering' which evolved in different styles, ranging from doom to alternative rock through gothic and progressive with the participation of many artists including the Dutch singers 'Anneke van Giersbergen' well known in the progressive world. In 2017, the two Rutten brothers created 'Habitants' with singer 'Anne Van Den Hoogen', guitarist and composer 'Gema Pérez' and bassist 'Mirte Heutmekers' with the album 'One Self' released in 2018 with the drummer 'Jerome Miedendorp de Bie'. For this second album, we find the band of 'René Rutten' with his female trio and 'Jerome Miedendorp de Bie' on drums in this alternative rock deploying moderate ambiances with atmospheric tendencies.Eight compositions, for a little more than 40 minutes of listening, this is the menu of this 'Alma' which begins with 'Highways' which sees 'Anne Van Den Hoogen' deploy a serious vocal register, in the literal sense as in the figurative sense, in a crescendo bringing a disturbing atmosphere thanks in particular to remarkable choirs in the finale. Follows 'Youth' which moderates the subject on a rhythmic mid-tempo and which sees 'Anne Van Den Hoogen' soften her singing on a catchy melody, then, 'Future You', on a slightly faster tempo, brings a feeling of lightness and carefree, the higher vocal parts being absolutely beautiful and the lower register of the Dutchwoman making me think in certain places of 'Chrissie Hynde' from 'Pretenders'. Follows 'Code Fishing' which is a magnificent ballad in which we abandon ourselves to the ethereal singing of Anne Van Den Hoogen' while letting our minds wander (see the video above), then, 'Morgen', already known since 2020 but in a more powerful and longer version, is a continuation of 'Code Fishing' with a new ethereal melody accompanied by soft aerial singing (see the video here). The following two compositions continue our beautiful musical journey with, first of all, the title song which offers a slow languorous tempo on a fairly heavy accompaniment giving a feeling of beautiful quiet strength, then, 'If I Knew' shows a still atmospheric face more voluptuous with some electronic sounds disturbing the calm waters crossed. To end this beautiful journey, 'The Waiting Room', after a long and still very vaporous introduction, gradually gains momentum, as if the group wanted to bring us out of this very beautiful musical dream to slowly return to life. every day.In summary, the Dutch people of Habitants', composed of talented musicians and led by their leader 'René Rutten', offer us an excellent album which takes us on a journey into a very endearing musical universe made of atmospheric ambiances and which , the icing on the cake, highlights 'Anne van den Hoogen' with a very extensive vocal range which allows her to deliver wonderful vocal performances...
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