To introduce ‘We’ve Been Here Before’ as Lowland’s first ‘regular’ album would apply serious pressure to that word. It is however the first Finland’s Petri Alanko has recorded with a broader remit than his conceptually driven and now widely revered ‘Classic Trancelations’ series.
Nonetheless stepping into ‘We’ve Been Here Before’ with a ‘classic trance album’ mind-set might set you off on the wrong foot, as its title proves somewhat ironic. This is a track collection that ventures distinctly into lesser-charted regions, employing techniques, arrangements and sequences that have been honed down through Petri’s production years.
This has resulted in a listening experience that, by turns, is cinematic, orchestral and sometimes avant-garde, but never less than vivid, intense & polished. With originality to burn, its lifeblood flows distinctly with sounds and inspirations from Lowland’s home country and its surrounds. Unlike much of his previous works however, its heartbeat is aimed centre mass at the clubs.
One of the greatest liberations and joys in Lowland’s music making (as the man himself explains) is, well, just that… “Music itself wants to be free. So I never felt any pressures of urgencies with this album. I always thought it’d be best for ‘We’ve Been Here Before’ to come naturally, without pushing or forcing.”
Each a portrait, together a gallery, Lowland has reconciled and arranged its works of audio art into a long-player that has both individual track distinction and lava-like flow. Galactic in scope and feel, ‘We’ve Been Here Before’ is a late-summer/early autumn must-have for music lovers ready to leave the album status quo and ennui behind.