FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE is
Brian Eno's first solo album of vocal-based songs since 2005's
Another Day on Earth (although he did sing on 2016's
The Ship, which included a
Velvet Underground cover). Featuring regular collaborators such as
Roger Eno (who plays accordion on a couple of songs), guitarist
Leo Abrahams, and electronic musician
Jon Hopkins, the record is mainly sung by
Brian, with a few songs featuring other vocalists, including his daughter,
Darla Eno. Far from the moody, atmospheric pieces of
Another Day on Earth or the more uptempo, gospel-inspired songs from
Eno's 2008 collaboration with
David Byrne,
FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE consists of slow, spacious meditations with environmentally conscious lyrics. As
Eno explained before the release of the album, he's expressing his feelings rather than writing protest music or telling his listeners what to do or how to get involved. He wonders if people will keep up unprofitable scientific research during opener "Who Gives a Thought," which nearly sounds like an ambient
Underworld track. "We Let It In" is backed by breathing exercises and
Darla's chanting of the word "sun." "Garden of Stars" seems to warn against environmental and societal collapse, with the ominous words "these billion years will end" accompanied by tense vibrations and dive-bombing explosions. The mournful "There Were Bells" is surprisingly close to
Dead Can Dance-style ethereal darkwave, as birdsong leads into a dramatic elegy for "those who had to stay." While most of the songs are relatively brief, final piece "Making Gardens Out of Silence in the Uncanny Valley" lasts for over 13 minutes, with
Kyoko Inatome's time-stretched vocals slowly disintegrating over glacially paced drone waves and more bird sounds. One of
Eno's most sobering releases,
FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE is a cautious reflection on the state of our planet and its future. ~ Paul Simpson
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