There’s really no way we’re going to get out of discussing Dhani Harrison’s familial ties, so let’s get it out of the way right now. The only child to George and Olivia Harrison, Dhani hasn’t spent much time trying to ride the coattails of his father’s success. Instead, he’s been fronting the alt-rock outfit thenewno2 since the early 2000s, playing high profile festivals and soundtracking film and TV. Maybe most importantly, he released an album with Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur under the moniker Fistful Of Mercy.
Harrison’s first solo album, In///Parallel not so surprisingly shows traces of his father’s legacy, but it also brings to mind legends like ELO or Pink Floyd. Opening tune “Never Know” is a blurry beginning, where strings and layered vocals create a fuzzy, surreal atmosphere. This idea extends to later tracks like the more forceful “#WarOnFalse,” the lush and percussion friendly “The Light Under The Door,” and the dramatic “Downtown Tigers.” Elsewhere things get very psychedelic, prog-like, and weirdly pop with guest vocalist Mereki (who appears on many tunes here) on “London Water,” which is eight minutes of unclassifiable textures.
Where his father’s presence really comes through are the harmonies of “Ulfur Resurrection” and the melodies of “All About Waiting.” In general, the album possesses many angular uses of guitars that tips its hat to the elder Harrison, while looped drums and synthesizers give it a post-acid trip sort of pop feel.
Really, though, the excellence of this album shouldn’t surprise us seeing as Dhani was largely responsible for his father’s posthumous album, Brainwashed. In///Parallel is overall a haunting yet meditative collection, one that’s both intense, complex, and all at once progressive, psych, modern, and retro. While some tracks like “Admiral Of Upside Down” are minimal and stripped back, most of the album is technically layered and will likely take several listens to really sink in deep.
