Norwegian indie-rock duo Ask Carol released their highly anticipated second album, "AC II: Desert Sky," a 12-track collection exploring ideas of freedom, evolution, and the beauty of the unfamiliar. Hailing from a remote mountain village called Auma, Ask Carol has created an album that resonates with the personal, with a broad sound palette.
Clocking in at a little under 32 minutes, the album is filled with emotional resonance and musical conviction. The album opens with "Desert," immediately immersing you in the vast landscapes that inspired this record. It's a track that summarizes hopes and freedom and sets the tone for the rest of the journey.
"Desert Sky," a continuation of "Desert," explores this aspect further and sounds more laid-back and spacey, in line with the idea of travelling across infinite horizons. Tracks like "Are You Leaving Us Here…" ponder change as the only constant and serve as a bridge between old and new.
"Writing On The Wall" draws historical comparisons between past events and current affairs in a contemplative, reflective tone. "Cold July" slows down with a stripped-down meditation on the weight of living, and their first cover, "Ohio," evokes an intimate homage. "Seasons" is a self-mixed track that really captures Ask Carol's integrity and artistry while encapsulating delicate acoustic beauty.
The feeling of freedom resurfaces in "Wind In My Hair," celebrating the pleasure of venturing into unknown territories in one's head and on the road. Closing the album, "Moo Moo" echoes the sentiment of freedom that runs through the record by turning every jam into a blank canvas upon which music materialises as and when it pleases.
On "AC II: Desert Sky," Ask Carol proves they are narrators and auditory pioneers. This album is an absolute must for fans of alternative and indie music because every song invites you to think, feel, and discover, offering experiences that are both fresh and profound.
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