Genre: Neofolk / Neoclassical
The Blue Hour is an American based neofolk that just recently came onto the scene a few years ago with their debut release “Evensong” that was received with much enthusiasm amidst neofolk fans. “The Windless Path” is Blue Hour's second full length album and it has been released on the bands current label Perun of Poland. Unfortunately I do not believe that “The Windless Path” received as great of a reception as the bands debut. At this current time of so many neofolk acts producing new work and new acts debuting, many good releases are missing the attention they deserve.
Those readers who are fortunate to already be acquainted with Blue Hour through their first release will not be disappointed by their second effort. In fact the band has matured quite nicely expanding their sound and inviting a number of guest musicians to assist during the recording of the album. The album has amazingly crisp production that is the result of Brian Hodges recording the body of each song live before moving into the studio for refinement.
The most notable change from “Evensong” and the bands debut is the evolution of the individual songs and the expansion of compositional scope and range. The beautiful and delicate guitar chords now exist in synch with violin, viola, samples, and loops. These new additions add greater depth and dimension to the music of “Blue Hour” and help place the band in their rightful place as musical magicians. The guitars and atmospherics blend seamlessly in a dreamy tapestry of strained fragility and welling emotion. Each song is a gentle yet soaring anthem dedicated to love, nature mysticism and dark romantic longings and the reflections of the lonely.
“The Windless Path” is a burning light in the darkness of apathetic humanity. A torch of sensitivity, honesty, and spirit. In a world crowded with shadow The Blue Hour is lighting the beacon of the neofolk revolution on the shores of the US and all of us sharing this land should support them in our own burgeoning neofolk scene. Heathen Harvest highly recommends this release to Radical faeries and readers that are looking for neofolk that is centered more on gentleness and modest strength as opposed to the more martial offerings of DIJ or Blood Axis. Fans of Darkwood, of the wand and the Moon or In Gowan Ring would find The Blue Hour a blessing and a welcome addition to your collection. Those new or unfamiliar with the neofolk music scene would find “The Windless Path” an excellent introduction that is very approachable. The strength of the music is rooted in its beauty and delicate nature. Hardcore neofolk music collectors do not want to miss this album. “The Windless Path” is extremely original and is quite frankly a breath of fresh air with so many neofolk acts pursuing such a similar sound.
