Harry Ballmann reviews Not to Disappear…
Despite being an atmospheric affair, Not to Disappear proves enticing and in some respects, overwhelming. Upon my first listen, there was a clear depth to the sound, both rich and full bodied.
The idea behind the slightly more encompassing and fuller sound was the result of the If You Wait tour. Speaking to NME, Daughter’s guitar and bassist Igor Haefeli clarified on their shift in direction; “we’ve played so many shows that the first album became rockier on stage and we’re playing with that dynamic”. Daughter have certainly discovered a unique dynamic between their eclectic musical range and Elena Tonra’s enigmatic vocals.
Overall, the impact of Not to Disappear is far more explicit than If You Wait; the whole album has a far greater presence than their subdued and subtle debut. Interestingly, the first song on the album aptly sets the tone for its entirety; the direction of Not to Disappear appears uncertain at this point, yet the sound remains layered with Tonra’s vocals occasionally hidden in the mix. Fossa, the penultimate song on the album would be better suited to closing the album, purely because it perfectly exemplifies the 47 minute album in a telling 6 minutes and 46 seconds. Whilst a song of length is unusual in the current climate of music, Fossa is deep in sound and meaning. It is ultimately melancholic, but seductively launches into a heavier, more complete sound; a fitting close to a unique and immersive album.
