A very exciting quintet from Denmark, Deerborn released their debut back in 2016, but since then life has become quite different for the band. Now with all members being fathers and spaced out geographically from one another, their music has also evolved into a very textured and mature platform. They approach their latest album, Where Demons Hide, with a dark vision of artistic self-reflection.
The release leads with the atmospheric and highly melodic “Figured Out,” where strong, expressive vocals from Lasse Norby steer an indeed dark folk setting. “You Better” continues the formula with an ominous version of Americana that’s eerie in a Jim James sort of way.
Closer to the middle, the percussively strong “Can’t Find My Way” finds its way into atypical balladry, while “Where Demons Hide” buzzes low with a dreamy quality that’s no stranger to prog and psych rock, while being layered flawlessly. “Call Out My Name,” a particularly noteworthy tune, then burns cautiously with a moody intimacy that might make you want to mull things over.
Near the end, the acoustic strumming from Daniel Buchwald settles well in the folk friendly “You’ve Been Bent,” and “Remember” exits the listen with a giant leap into louder rock’n’roll territory that thunders with a firm alt-rock presence that seems very indebted to the mid ’90s and could fill stadiums.
The members of Deerborn have roots playing in outfits like Rock Hard Power Spray and Ave., which most of us won’t be familiar with, but they parallel the impact of names like Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, King Crimson, or Rage Against The Machine, which we’ve all heard of.
Although they describe themselves as dark Americana and folk, while there’s certainly plenty of that, there’s a whole lot more to their concoction. Strategic banjo, lap steel, theremin, and trumpet are also part of Deerborn’s eclectic arsenal of mature rock song craft that’s as captivating as the cover art.
