Premsa

Stereo Stickman (August 2021)

https://stereostickman.com/music/morningblind-the-weight-of-the-world/

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Expressively uniting a deeply immersive, moving musicality, with a series of lyrical explorations of love and life and, aptly, The Weight Of The World, Barcelona duo Morningblind take listeners somewhere completely new with this album.

Built up of organic folk-layers, familiar and experimental intermittently, and guided by Sandra-Bossy Retti’s softly emotive and rather traditional vocals, the project shines light on an inspiring set of images, feelings, and experiences that are both personal and profoundly relatable.

Far from confined to a single style or intention, Morningblind lay bare a heavily introspective approach to creativity, engaging audiences with superb acoustic musicianship and powerful, poetic references alike.

The title-track opens things up and introduces the unpredictable artistry and mightily contemplative nature of the album well. Then we fall into Sunflowering, and later For The Morning, and by now we’re entirely wrapped up in this mildly theatrical, meandering audio journey.

Complete with melodies that feel almost freestyle in their expression of each story – consider the long-form lyricism and contrasting musical minimalism of Went Solo – the album creates a brand new space for listeners to lose themselves within.

There’s fearless honesty in many of the observations posed by lyricist Richard Hayden, and there’s equal honesty and vulnerability in the confident yet sometimes heartbroken, passionately devoted vocals from Sandra, and this meeting of elements helps really take the listener to that next level of thought.

Highlights include the intrigue and hopeful yet slowly evolving Raven’s Wing for its rising weight, warmth, and its striking use of imagery. Also the subsequently hypnotic intensity of The Caller; a personal favourite, fascinating and satisfying all at once as the passion and power rise up.

Featuring layers of tribal hand rhythms and various folk tones from a multi-instrumental Sandra, The Weight Of The World effectively gathers up a plethora of ideas and inclinations relating to its title concept. The world is heavy, busy, life is loaded with beauty and heartache, and there are stories throughout this album, both musical and lyrical, that touch upon the intricacies of all of this.

“The weight of the world is love

Burning my mouth

Hole in my lung

Turn away cold

Our Gift

Our Curse

The weight of the world is love.”

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On first listen there’s a mood presented that’s a joy to commit to, a darkness and natural light combined, delicacy and power intertwined, that appeal and overwhelm. On revisit, the lyrics stand out more, the words connect, and the whole thing begins to exude purpose.

During the latter half, 20 Years is sensational in its ache and chaos and repeating phrase as the drums crash and the distant choir or church-like key-line envelops you. Odyssey is equally superb but delivers a completely juxtaposed energy and brightness. Then there’s the multi-layered instrumental beauty of Winter Dance, which fascinates and uplifts in a fairly unforgettable way as the closer.

Promising eleven entirely original melodic progressions and an instrumental set-up that’s as eclectic as it is endearing and entrancing, The Weight Of The World gifts both the sound of the live show and the sheer escapism of honest, deeply human ambiance for the mind to wander freely amidst.

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IndieX August 2021

Barcelona based band "Morningblind" release an 11 track album - "The Weight of the World"

 

The opening track is the focus track, "The Weight of the World"

 

The majority of tracks that are 5 minutes long, lose their interesting elements eventually, but in this track, that couldn't be any further from the truth! It constantly evolves and changes throughout, with new styles being implemented all the time, ensuring the listener is always intrigued and being immersed in the unique experience.

The cinematic, arabic feel that radiates throughout is truly one of a kind.

 

The 2nd track is "Sunflowering"

 

Beginning with the introduction of soft guitar and a tranquil soundscape, this chilled, emotional track draws you in right from the get-go. It takes influences from such a wide variety of genres, it's almost like Morningblind have created their own new genre! It doesn't dynamically change too much, yet the percussion and stunning vocal performance make for a well rounded, folk touched track.

 

Next is "For the Morning"

 

The complex fingerstyle acoustic guitar, and the quiet, yet integral percussion all work together perfectly, creating what feels like a song from a medieval movie. Nothing overwhelms the instrumentation too much, making for an easy listening, intimate experience.

 

The 4th track is titled "Went Solo"

 

Classical inspired guitar and the non standard tunings make for a truly eerie, evocative song.

Touching and melancholic vocals take the spotlight with her mesmerising, blossoming tones.

You'll find yourself indulged, with your eyes closed, whilst enlisting on this incredible adventure portrayed in beautiful music.

 

It leads into "Raven's Wing" 

 

The story narrative featured in this track, showcases the lyrical genius word play, and proves how much meaning and time has been put into the creation of this track and the rest of the LP. The slight modern twist with alt-rock electric guitar towards the end hints at a dramatic, theatrical mood, fit for plays today. I wouldn't be surprised to hear Morningblind's music becoming extremely in the film world.

 

6. - "The Caller"

 

Elements of Gregorian chants and Björk with the aforementioned slight modern twist truly brings a mellow, haunting, pictorial vibe to the album. The enchanting sounds and ancient effects, everything is almost a gentle lullaby with how soft it is, down the taps on the drums and laid-back guitar. 

 

 

The 7th song is titled "Black Sheep"

 

The vocals in particular are an interesting thing to look at, with the lead vocals echoed, mirrored and complemented throughout by the same harmonic soft female vocalist. This serves to accentuate them, with them being the key part of the song to focus on. It does give a much bigger feel and adds in a sense of the song is more communal than individual. Even though this is the case, it still opens up with so much individual originality.

 

It ends with a fade, before "20 Years" softly opens.

 

It's truly a gentle, and wispy song, it's like the musical equivalent of a soft, warm blanket beings draped across one's shoulders. It has an experimental feel, and an impeccable tone that encapsulates the lyricism and the music's energy together.

 

9. - "Cars & Trains"

 

A delicate, soothing, and relatively fast paced tempo is displayed in this song, making it both wistful and playfully sweet. The synthwave introduced brings a new vibe to the album, as it eventually starts coming to a close. It's a great juxtaposition between that toe tapping beat and the achingly sensitive americana styles.

 

The 2nd to last track is "Odyssey"

 

The production is truly aweinspiring, every moment works together seamlessly to create the final masterpiece, the cresending instrumentation and floaty vocals, with slight stunning harmonies feels adventurous and delicate. It'll leave you reaching for a box of tissues, that's for sure!

The finale is "Winter Dance"

 

The bewitching vocal control in this distinctive track is truly incredible, as always, yet lets not ignore the spacious delay and reverb effects on the tranquil electric guitar introduction that work to uphold the cinematic nature mentioned beforehand. It's enhancing, lively, and just breathtaking. It's refreshing and pristine to listen to, especially in a world drowned out with pop.

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NeuFutur (2017)

 

Morningblind is a duo that is comprised of Richard Hayden and Sandra Bossy Retti. The EP begins with The Spring, a track that immediately showcases the dynamic between the two. There is a rich narrative that is weaved through this introductory effort, with all of the passion and emotion of a play. The track is hard to categorize; the guitar work draws on a classical style while Sandra’s vocals build off of the framework of performers like Joni Mitchell and Nico (Velvet Underground), with hints of Karen Carpenter and Mama Cass present before the track ceases.

Apocalypse Later is another interesting effort as the guitar work draws nicely from the nineties/oughts alternative of acts like Radiohead and an earlier rock (Neil Young) style , while Sandra’s vocals add a timeless air to the composition. Morningblind is one of those rare acts that the constituent elements create something much greater when added together

Give Me a Lover is a high-water mark for The Spring. There is an organic sound to this sound that would make it just as fitting in 1917 as it is today. Morningblind comes forth boldly by drawing on a rich musical tradition that can be traced back decades; A Girl in a Hat Like That is another example. Sandra’s vocals and guitars are given further depth here by the contributions of Santi Mendez; this sunnier sound is a fantastic way to end an album. Few artists can create an engrossing effort that is as strong at the end as it was at the beginning; The Spring is a must-listen release for any fan of intricate and deep music.

Top Tracks: Give Me a Lover, A Girl in a Hat Like That

Rating: 8.8/10

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The Modern Folk Music of America (2017)

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Intimate, immediate, personal folk songs. Alternate tunings, fingerstyle playing, unexpected structures and emotive singing…help these stripped-down compositions to hit you in the chest and draw your attention to the rich, image-laden lyrics.

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Barcelona.cat (2017)

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“Alternative sounds…a voice charged with emotion singing lyrics loaded with meaning…coming together in a sound that might have its roots in folk but is also alive with influences from classical, jazz and rock music.”