Orion

Who knows what version of the word "limp" this group is referring to with their name, but their first record, Orion, proves that they aren't limp and that they don't limp. At the onset, these six instrumentals that waft by in half an hour are more or less relaxed in nature, but close inspection reveals the different kinds of melodic tensions explored by the proto-post-rock likes of Talk Talk, the Durutti Column, and Dif Juz. This isn't to say that Limp is a derivative band, because they carry the obvious influence of these groups as much as these groups sound like each other — which isn't much at all, unless you include each band's knack for solemn but uplifting tones. This is wordless folk music made with electronics, post-rock with a dash of IDM glitchery. Jonas Munk, whose work as Manual is something of a flip-flop with the Limp formula (meaning IDM glitchery with a dash of post-rock), writes the songs and plays guitar; Jakob Skott plays drums; Rasmus Rasmussen plays bass; and Jess Kahr provides synth shadings. At the time of the album's release, each member had just exited his teenage years. Despite that fact, they've been playing together since early puberty, and it shows. Their songs are never in a hurry to get anywhere. Instead, the group feeds off each other and plays around just long enough to find a soft melody to develop and exploit before moving on to the next song. The organic instrumentation is economical and crisply produced, while the glitch elements usually complement the songs without staining them; the occasional creak, the odd typewriter tap, and the incidental squelch don't present themselves so boldly that those who have allergic reactions to IDM will be troubled. Stately, melancholic, and quite frankly beautiful.