Will to Be Well
8 July 2014
Blackest Ever Black
4.5 stars out of 5
Edinburgh-based electronic duo Dalhous (comprised of Alex
Ander and Marc Dall of Young Hunting fame) return with their second album under
their new name, and third album overall, Will
to Be Well. Like 2013’s An Ambassador
for Laing, the new record examines the life and writing of Scottish psychiatrist
R. D. Laing, who was noted for taking an existential approach to his studies of
mental illness. Of course, this being instrumental music, we’ll just have to
take Dall’s word for it that Laing’s anti-psychiatry is the inspiration for the
album, right?
Musically, Will to Be
Well is incredibly striking: there’s none of the reliance on repetition
which one often associates with electronic music, nor any of the sterile
soundscapes or uninteresting drones. Dall and Ander give us a collection of
compositions that are very much alive. If you’re looking for background music
to zone out to, you’d be well advised to look elsewhere, as this record grabs
your attention from the beginning and doesn’t let go for all of its 55 minutes.
The record playfully blurs the line between relaxation and anxiety—each track
contains the seeds for the listener to enter either (or both) state(s) of mind.
Perhaps this is a comment on Laing’s philosophy towards mental illness—not a
strictly biological phenomenon, but influenced by culture, society, family,
etc. It’s not necessary to know anything about Laing or psychiatry in general
to derive enjoyment from Will to Be Well,
though a little background research would likely enhance the listening
experience.
A victory by anyone’s standards, Will to Be Well injects a healthy dose of humanity into a genre
that too often emphasizes temporary concerns like “cool” without regard for
honest songwriting. Dall’s artistic vision continues to grow sharper and more
confident, and the results are now more impressive than ever. Miss at your own
risk.
reviewed by Richard Krueger
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