Some time ago, I got to see and hear the group “Kresla” on stage – they performed in the semi-finals of the new groups “Nemiera blice 2023” organized by the bar “Nemiers”, but another meeting, only this time in the form of the group’s debut album.
It was presented to a wider audience on Saturday on the “Tu Jau Zini Kur” stage of the Tallinn street block, but this work has been available on streaming services since the beginning of April. “The album reminds listeners that although loneliness can make us feel alienated from the rest of the world, there is much beauty to be found in it. In addition, loneliness is often only in our own heads,” this is how this album is announced, the stylish title of which immediately brings to mind the group from Pļaviņas with the even more stylish name “Vientulš But Neglīts”…
The authors of the lyrics for all the songs of “Kreslas” are the members themselves, and almost all of them – also the music authors, with the exception of the composition “Tu – kabatā”, which was made in collaboration with the composer Gati Gauger. A video for this piece was made a couple of years ago, which can also be found on YouTube. The beginnings of the group can be traced back to the end of 2016, but at the beginning it was known under the name “The Evening Sun”, with which it also released its first single “Sauciens”. However, later the band members came to the conclusion that their music is basically made and will be in Latvian, therefore they changed the name to the Latvian “Krēsl”, causing everyone to get lost between all the “colors”, “tsūlām”, “tsūlām” of Latvian music and Aigara Kreslu.
The group “Krēsla” consists of six musicians whose roots geographically cover the whole of Latvia – from Liepāja to Balvi. Despite the various musical experiences, together they create melodic rock music in the Latvian language, which the group has influenced both in Latvia and outside of it. The numerous composition of the association ensures a powerful and wide sound,” reads their business card.
PAR. “The group performs melodic rock”, “legs tired after dancing will be happy to finally move” – this is how “Krėsla” announces its concerts, and here they are completely right, because the melodic pop rock performed by the group can now be played at city festivals and even at green balls, but it is best to warm up the group “Credo”, because the voice of the vocalist Arta Zaharān reminds Gunta Veita. You can still find a good piece here. As was observed in the already mentioned “Unrest Blice” competition, the audience liked “11. tram” (for reasons that are difficult to understand…), while the reviewer would highlight the songs “Artist’s Notes” and “Windmill”. Kudos to the guitarist for the successful solo parts, especially in the song “Laughter in the Night”.
AGAINST. It’s never been clear what young people want to say (or achieve) to their listeners by playing this kind of hit rock… In the early 80’s “Twilight” might even be on the “Microphone” poll, but now it’s a different century. They probably won’t apply for “Heartsong of Latvia” either, the band’s music will be too good for that. A striking example is the song “Star Chariot”, which was released as a single, which the band itself describes as a “romantic story in the mood of a summer night” and “an emotional rock ballad in the tradition of classic rock”, but whose sweetness is almost or physically suffocating.
