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Daturah – Reverie

Released: 2008

Label: Golden Antenna Records

Daturah’s 2008 release, Reverie is a very unique and elusive album. It’s a sweeping 56-minute post- everything odyssey that cements the Frankfurt collective’s reputation as one of Germany’s most distinctive instrumental exports. Comprised of just five tracks, three of which extend beyond the 12-minute mark, the album exemplifies the genre’s penchant for long-form storytelling while avoiding the trap of repetition. It has so many layers, so many styles and a so many identities.

The record’s understated brilliance is evident right from the start. The opener, and my personal favorite, Ghost Track builds over nearly 13 minutes, and is intro’d by some brilliantly chosen spoken passages before moving from fragile guitar motifs to dense walls of distortion. This deliberate use of pacing throughout Reverie highlights the band’s command of crescendos and dynamic ranges. The contrast between fragile arpeggios and surging distortion is not just to create drama but is essential to the whole narrative of the album.

For me, Reverie should be listened to as one continuous journey, and in doing so it makes the album feel as evocative and as intense as any good film score. The production is another strength that Daturah have incorporated into the album. Despite the density of the arrangements, the mix preserves clarity, allowing intricate guitar textures and layered rhythms to coexist without any muddiness or clutter. The album maintains an impressive dynamic range, peaking at moments of near-orchestral intensity while retaining its quieter moments with great care and control.

Reverie rewards repeat listens, each unveiling new details in its layered construction. It remains one of the standout European post-rock releases of its decade and beyond. It’s ambitious in scope, meticulous in execution, and emotionally resonant throughout. It’s one of those albums that will always be in demand on vinyl, so look after your copy if you’re lucky to have one in your collection