Album Review: Törzs – Menedék (Pelagic Records)

Törzs, Hungary’s premier instrumental post-rock band, return with ‘Menedék’, their first new music in six years, out 16th May via Pelagic Records.

As captivating as instrumental post rock can often be, it’s a genre that can rightfully be accused of stagnation sometimes. This coming from a massive fan of the sound and style too. Innovation is few and far between, but sometimes that doesn’t matter as much when a band delivers something so beautiful and so melancholic that it transcends expectations and stands alone as a must listen release for all fans of post.

Can you see where this is going?

Yes, Menedék is one of those releases, ticking so many instrumental post rock boxes (cliches included), but doing it in such spectacular style that it ends up being one of the best releases of the year and one of the best instrumental post rock releases in some time. It really is that good, and you’ll feel it in your soul.

It really doesn’t get bigger than the first track, Egy pillanatban a végtelen. Not only is this a near 13-minute opener, but it’s incredibly intricate, while having a sound that feels vast. On the one hand, the deep melancholic melodies comfort, but on the other, it leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what the next twist and turn will bring. It’s as bright as it is gloomy, and come the end, it might leave you feeling a bit tearful.

While nothing else on the album is as substantial as that, it doesn’t mean Törzs scale anything back. Bringing surprisingly more robust rhythms with Levegővétel but carefully layering those moments around a melodic vein that runs through the entire track. It’s a shifting and shimmering listen, with some of the album’s most laidback moments too. Then there is Átfordul, a track that sits in the shade, and does a phenomenal job of relaxing the mind, even as the guitars get more complex and layered. It is another stunning piece of music.

You’ll feel it, and if you’ve not got there yet, Földet ér may be the one that finally reaches in and opens up your soul. Finding Törzs at their most beautiful, melody wise, and with a brighter sound. It’s like stepping out of the shadows to feel the warm sun on your face, and for just a split second nothing matters but this moment. Even as some clouds been to appear, the feeling of just being alive is still so apparent. It is one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.

Is it over? You might feel like you need it to be over, just so you can let what you’ve heard already sink in, but Törzs aren’t quite done yet. It’s Otthon, the finale track, and guess what? It’s stunning. It’s mood altering, but not in a negative way. It just makes you feel, and that’s the truest sign that this is a brilliant post rock release.

Törzs – Menedék Track Listing:

1. Egy pillanatban a végtelen
2. Levegővétel
3. Átfordul
4. Földet ér
5. Otthon

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