Matt Bauer
Dream’s End
Reviewed by: Fareeha Naim
As the name implies, Dream’s End is riddled with imagination, whispers, and dreamscapes. Raw and intimate, Bauer’s voice mingles with fantastical melodies that intertwine for an atmospheric experience.
Haunting yet inviting, the album pulls at the deepest parts of the mind with slow, rolling rhythms and electric orchestrations. Opening with the striking “Fields, No Body,” this ballad holds a steady beat that builds with the addition of echoing strings. “I Am Trying To Disappear” adds to the idea of being lost and deciding to go nowhere, evident in the line “And when you ask me why I’m here / I am trying hard to disappear.” Strings are heavily featured on the album, adding to the dreamland and fantasy aspect and creating an air of mystery. Track after track, the strings make an appearance, creating the air of question and ambiguity. “Silver Orchard” especially puts the strings in the spotlight, giving the violins and banjos their time to shine.
While there were elements to be praised, the album as a whole was slightly underwhelming. The orchestrations were wonderful—the banjo riffs, the lingering violins, the steady beats, they all made the songs fantastical and bright. The downfall, it seems, was in Bauer’s voice. His whispered, choppy voice made it seem like he was talking more than singing, and the lyrics got lost under his breath. It was very hard to understand what he was saying, and the emotions were coming more from the strings than his lyrics.
Regardless, the air the album creates is awing and sway-inducing. The music may not be the catchiest, but it is intriguing, different, and hypnotizing—a perfect listen if you’re looking to experience something new.
Rating: Listenable
