Released this weekend, it’s time to discover the surprising, rich, and harmonious whatever is real by the rising sign. Review.
WHATEVER IS REAL – THE RISING SIGN
Through his new album, John Attis crafts a universe where examining our experiences under a microscope is no longer something to fear. Under the name of the rising sign, the artist reveals whatever is real, an eight-track opus that differs from my usual preferences yet completely captivated me. First, for its strong and diverse influences. From jazz to electronic, blues to classical, and more, the composer has created a cohesive, harmonious, and above all, rich and intriguing work. The album opens with nocturne, where vocal effects and atmospheric tones lend a sepia hue to the opening. It’s warm and comforting, yet also intriguingly mysterious.
With in two, coming next, Attis delves into darker moments. The simplicity of the introduction conceals an emotional intensity that emerges in the vocals and the distortion of the guitars. Experimentation meets experience here, and it gave me chills! He creates even more contrast while keeping his uniquely toned voice at the forefront in the blues-infused down and troubled. Pain, grief, rage, uncertainty… these emotions are all present on the album and sometimes take unexpected forms, as in this track. The lyrics deliver a narrative that is matched by a pared-down musicality, reinforcing every line and every note. Attis demonstrates this again with time passes, which is even more melancholic.
In at your door, the focus shifts to deeper, more unsettling basslines. There’s a persistent, vibrating anxiety in this track, and its slow progression denies us the explosive release we might expect for relief. This is my personal favourite. The next track, heaven just yet, explores peacefulness with a classical piano ballad. Then, with centuries, he experiments further, weaving in lush electronic textures. The layers combine with contrast and precision. Finally, the album closes with the vibrant, surprising, and delightfully pop shining eyes. The spatialisation of the sound, the light echoes, and the fine arrangements create a musical and emotional balance.With whatever is real, the rising sign delivers a complete, poetic, and compelling album, filled with restraint and harmony.
