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ALBUM REVIEW: Andrew Bayer - In My Last Life out on Anjunabeats



Every visionary artist has a defining work - their personal magnus opus. For the polymath Andrew Bayer, ‘In My Last Life’ might be just that.

Grammy nominated through his production work with Above & Beyond, the D.C. native co-produced their #3 US album ‘Common Ground’ and is also a writer and producer on Lo Moon’s indie electronica hit ‘Loveless’.

As a DJ, the Anjunabeats star has graced the stages of tastemaker electronic festivals such as EDC Vegas, Electric Zoo and Creamfields, and headlined clubs from LA to London.

But it is as an album artist that Andrew Bayer has sculpted his reputation as a true innovator - an artist in the classic sense of the word.

It’s a journey that began with his 2011 debut LP ‘It’s Artificial’ - described by Mixmag as “an incredible album of sophisticated electronica”. Traversing glitch hop, progressive house and electronica, it signalled the arrival of a true talent on Anjunabeats.

Its 2013 follow-up, ‘If It Were You, We’d Never Leave’ took an even bolder creative direction. Ditching the 4/4 beats completely, Andrew instead conjured a 16-track sampladelic odyssey featuring Sufjan Stevens, Ane Brun and Des-ree - earning comparisons to DJ Shadow, Moby and Flying Lotus by XLR8R.

Five years in the making, this third LP ‘In My Last Life’ represents a humanising of the enigmatic producer’s sound - comprised of 8 heartfelt and emotional songs penned and delivered by Norwegian singer/songwriter Ane Brun and the incredible Alison May respectively. It is also, quite simply, his defining work to date.

An artistic statement and a perfectly considered body of work, ‘In My Last Life’ owes very little to the dancefloor that Andrew is often associated with - instead drawing its inspirations from influences as far and wide as Kate Bush, Atoms For Peace, Aphex Twin and Talk Talk.

Through its 8 songs, the LP plots an enchanting, carefully spun tale of love and loss - explored through the narrative prisms of reincarnation and immortality.

Alison May swims in the overwhelming sensations of love in the ethereal electronic washes of ‘Tidal Wave’, looks at love through reincarnation on the dreamy ‘In My Last Life’ and whispers of stalking ex-lovers from beyond the grave on the shuffling, Timbaland-esque beats of ‘Immortal Lover’.

Ane Brun’s three turns, meanwhile, are as diverse as they are majestic. Nodding back to classics 80s ballads from Kate Bush and Sade, ’Love You More’ is a slow-building indie-pop beauty loaded with joy and musicality. Somewhere between Aphex Twin and The XX, ’Hold On To You’ is a string-laden, bittersweet ode to the recently departed, whilst the psychedelic synth-pop of ’Your Eyes’ is an energetic gem.

And then there’s closer ‘End of All Things’, an anthemic, arm-waving electronica excursion, where Alison May sings in ode to a recently lost love - capturing all the celebration, uncertainty and emotion at the end of a beautiful road. A perfect closer, but ‘In My Last Life’ is also an album that needs to be taken in its entirety.

Taking as one cohesive and beautifully constructed whole, the 8-track LP represents an journey that will surprise, stun and overwhelm those that submit to its charms - a truly personal masterpiece with all the musicality and detail that Andrew’s fans know and love him for.












Buy/Stream: https://anjunabeats.lnk.to/AB_IMLLYO

Check his interview with Tony from Above & Beyond about the album



Check his DJ side with his set at Tomorrowland 2018



Dimitri Kechagias review:
[review top="1"]
 [item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
 [item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
 [item value="10"] Melody [/item]
 [item value="10"] Synths [/item]
 [item value="10"]Vocals and Lyrics[/item]
 [item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
 [item value="10"]Climax  / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
 [item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
 [item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
 [item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
 [item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
 [item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
 [item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
 [item value="10"]Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness[/item]
 [item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
 [item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
 [item value="10"] Andrew Bayer - In My Last Life[/item]
 [content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] Andrew Bayer presents his new album In My Last Life and himself has said in his interview, this album should be enjoyed as a whole and not as separate singles. 8 magnificent moments of different truths that Andrew shares with us through his singers. Superb arrangement and sound design of breaks and beats, live analogue instruments with superb guitar riffs and live bass with superb strings and out of this world sonic scenery that enriches and enhances every track with incredible cathartic force to come face to face with your own emotions and deal with them without being afraid of the consequences. Tidal Wave that actually gives you the impression of an energetic wave carry you away. Love You More echoes Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush with Ane's voice being so ethereal and unique enough to blow you away and make you love more your loved one. Open End Resource with cool drum n'bass groove underneath while on top great guitar riffs contemplate the final hair raising result adding a certain sense of warm sunset breeze touching your skin. Hold On To You applies aggressive metallic abstract type of groove underneath with superb classical strings, guitars and that fairy like voice that will cast a spell on you. So sexy and sensual with that aggressive edge that any love relationship contains for sure. In My Last Life adopts constant deep groove underneath while the live instruments create that melancholic mysterious inspiring atmosphere with interesting long breakdown packed with orchestral beats and pieces. Immortal Lover is spaced out and definitely the love ballad of the future with certain soulful urban touches to it. The piano melody click perfectly with the stunning vocal adding that hair raising moment that makes you wonder if its real or something in your mind. Your Eyes has energy with pulsating groove, beautiful guitar riffs, touching piano chords and excellent vocal that elevates any listener and celebrates love in the loudest way. Finally End of All Things is a much more epic track with spacey synths and the perfect melodramatic touch to create the perfect outro moment and close the album in a way that any love story ends. Definitely an album that will remain in your collection for ages and you will be proud to talk about with your friends and debate all the beats and pieces about it. Looking forward for the club mixes so better Andrew to impress us all as we have big hopes for them. #PureGold Love IT    [/content]
[/review]

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