Nebula by Rumpistol
A deep space exploration of the self
As you should know by now, Rumpistol is Danish multi-instrumentalist Jens B. Christiansen, an accomplished musician who's been honing his art for more than two decades, initially in various shades of IDM but latterly, and significantly, in an expanded spectrum of acoustic instruments and electronic wizardry. A key milestone in his evolving career came in 2020 with the release of his first 'piano' album After the Flood. In an effort to combat tech burnout Christiansen set his computer aside and, working with other musicians, began introducing new instruments and sounds to his oeuvre. Over the course of three years he delivered a thrilling trilogy of albums that lifted his profile into the company of luminaries like Max Richter, Nils Frahm and Yann Tiersen. Not quite a return to his DAW-based roots, new album Nebula consolidates with a carefully curated collection of compositions, each with its foundations in digital music but offset with a range of singular analogue sounds (piano, flute, sax, guitar and harp, to name a few).
Like most of his work, melody plays a significant role in projecting an idea or feeling. Inspired by the oft-trodden theme of space travel, Christiansen uses melody to soundtrack our own inner adventures; from jetting off terra firma to blasting through the cloud and dust of a Nebula to sheer astonishment as you flyby Kurt Vonnegut's fav planet. At each stage of your journey emotions peak and trough with both fanfare and introspection. Rousing sax on intro Ascension sets the stage with a pace and vigour that rarely drops across the subsequent nine tracks, with every twist and turn proving Christiansen's adept hand at complex arrangements and emotional manipulation. I particularly like the title track Nebula; once the drums drop at 1:35 it rollicks along at a jaunty pace! Similarly, on Alpha Centauri the rhythm drop around 4:08 perfectly captures the album's dynamic. Fans of Kiasmos and Röyksopp will appreciate central track Above The Horizon. At nearly eight minutes this show-piece impresses, carefully building tension for the first two minutes before the top-line drop. Even the more downtempo moments soar. Tracks like Tralfamadore and Stargazers with delicate flutes and strings offer a moment of reflection and a chance to bask in awe. And you will.