Shipsea plays notes in various genres, but it is in his solo performance that he knows how to intertwine them together in a way that is only known to him. It’s called style, and it certainly has “Enlighten Me,” though it doesn’t hold on to the finish line.
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Already with the first bars of the album’s introductory song, it is clear that this will not be ordinary pop music. Shipsea conjures up a landscape of unaccustomed sounds, which his like-minded people help to create – Miķelis Putniņš, Matīss Čudars, Kārlis Josts, Rūdolfs Dankfelds. There is also the “Sinfonietta Rīga” ladies string quartet, arranged by Andris Sējāns. Arnis Račinskis has joined the sound engineer’s desk. Gustav Ērenpreiss has taken care of the voice recording. In the end, Gatis Zaķis took care of the production, mixing and mastering, as is almost always the case in the unusual new Latvian albums.
If, after some misunderstanding, these words mean nothing, then the short explanation would be – friends with already quite extensive experience in music, including participation in groups “Cosmos”, “Instruments”, Imants Kalniņš song projects and in that spirit. Shipsea has a wealth of great musicians and studio professionals around, all of whom have created a modern ImKas sound that will be imitated again for the next generation of musicians.
It is also a good idea to invite ladies to the vocal microphones. Shipsea’s voice agrees very well with Kristīne Pāže’s vocals, a surprise is the invitation of Latgalian rap princess Ūga, but this “Dunka” does not emerge from the general context either. This is the name of the poem of Martha Pujat, which Jānis and Daiga Barkāne played together.
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There is still singing with Aminata, but this time Pujat’s “Your Waves” somehow overflows, marking one, but sometimes a big minus of Shipsea – the inability to stop with too much exaltation and the passion for floating emotions. The album stays in such a peculiar Latvian indie in a style that is not as aggressive as under the “Instrument” brand, but this or that sounds quite unaccustomed, but then the end is coming, and it communicates why there is a rush towards the Eurovision Song Contest exaggerated potty. If it is intended as a “grand finale”, then as such it is not “read”. In fact, the album ends with a bit of an “earth ball” “You’re to blame for being happy,” but the original lack of power of the album is missing. It may already be that it is like a golden mean, along which to roll closer to the listener of different and different tastes.
All in all, this is an interesting achievement, and it remains to be hoped that there will be no need to wait seven years again for the next solo work. Shipsea’s unusual pop music at least sounds more adult than most of today’s big children’s pop music. The texts that Jānis himself has partly dealt with are also of great importance, but also the undeniable talent of Martha Pujāts is not shy. The lyrics, along with the music, create Shipsea’s characteristic soft-flowing, lightly sad, at times immersive, but surprisingly multi-layered sound mood.
Interestingly, even the constant presence of a string quartet in almost every song does not bother me. And at the center of everything is Shipsea herself, who is able to play the lead role of the song and as a gray cardinal at the same time, encouraging the others involved not only to the background providers. These are pop songs that require repeated listening to get to know them at all. Time will tell who will start to stick and what will disappear, but it is clear that Shipsea and his friends have already created a new Latvian pop music code from the beginning of the 21st century, which will remain in history forever.
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The strongest hits on the album could be the “Service Novel” sung together with Kristīne Pāži – a gentle “pop summer” with a fluffy melody and blooming lyrics, as well as the best string arrangement in “Enlighten Me”, which creates a very playful feeling. Shipsea in its best expressions. In this case, with the support of Andris Says’ strong shoulder.
A good competitor to the “Service Novel” is also “By the River” – such as Shipsea “Across the Mountains”, but without “such” great pomposity. However, a choir placed in a trailer can be imagined here very easily.
Such pop music is called creating and promoting the taste of the mass listener. It’s not said to be the best thing to start with, but it’s certainly not bad, and it’s definitely original. Let’s wait for the sequel.
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