Sennen - Automatic Writing
Rating
RIYL
FoxholeWe vs. Death
Sickoakes
Do Make Say Think
Tracklist
1. Redshift2. Arcus Glider
3. Hearsay
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Hailing from the Netherlands, Sennen is a four-piece instrumental band that brings forth brass-infected post-rock like its contemporary Dutchman, We vs. Death. Prior to their current EP, Automatic Writing, I had never heard of Sennen and I’m not going to lie - I initially picked up Automatic Writing because I thought the album cover was really pretty and I loved the way they contrasted all the colors and had them fade and mix so well into one another. Oddly enough, the key feature of Sennen that separates them from the rest of the instrumental rock world is their ability to fade melodies into one another absolutely seamlessly. Just as the contrast between the cool and warm tones and how they fade into one another makes the cover art so beautiful, the contrast between rhythmic percussion and silky brass and the way they intertwine so perfectly makes Automatic Writing a special record.
Prior to listening to Automatic Writing I had mounted up a great amount of anticipation and expectation for the record solely from looking at the artwork. Upon my first listen, though, I couldn’t help but feel a little let down, yet at the same time quite intrigued. It was one of those listens where you’re not quite feeling the music, but upon finishing, you want to listen to it again - not because you want to give it another try, but because there is some gravitating force that makes you want to hear it over again. After finishing my second listen, I then listened again. And again. And, well you get the pattern. Ironically enough, Sennen’s Automatic Writing is not an easily accessible album, nor is it a shallow album that has nothing more to offer than catchy repeat listens given at face value. Automatic Writing is an incredibly textured album that requires repeat listens in order to pick up all its subtleties and the moment you figure this out is when you truly begin to enjoy the record.
The record starts with clamorous noise layered underneath oscillating synth keys on “Redshift.” Slowly but surely, repetitive guitar riffs, basslines, and percussion slyly fade in making the listener wonder when they ever came into the picture. Sennen perfect their craft through repetition and subtle variations thereof, causing the listener to groove along with the music and having the melodies stick into their head without ever feeling tedious. At the 7 minute mark in “Redshift” trumpets are introduced for the first time and are used so sparingly that it makes the listener want to hear more from it. The repetition in the music starts to intensify and tension begins to build up until the trumpets spill like gold ink into water and leave the listener increasingly satisfied.
The second track “Arcus Glider” is the most relaxed affair on the record and takes the longest time to develop. The wonderful intertwining of all the melodies makes it a thoroughly enjoyable listen, though it does seem a little flat in comparison to the two other tracks on the EP. The third track “Hearsay” is the most eccentric on the record and starts off with the most energy. Whereas the previous two tracks take time to build up and introduce the brass, “Hearsay” comes out of the gate with such undeniably groovy percussion and sly trumpet playing and quickly becomes some of the most danceable, if you will, post-rock out there. The grooviness unfortunately teeters off towards the end as the song adopts a more post-rock feel, but nonetheless “Hearsay” is a great track.
Overall, Automatic Writing is a very good effort from Sennen and shows that the band has a unique style and a lot of potential to make a really special record. With a full length album being released later this year, we’ll see if they can pool all their talent and make a truly great record from start to finish.
--Armand Babian
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