Dear listeners and readers of Soundville, I have a very curious album for you. Try to forget everything you know about familiar sound, structures, mood and energies that you are familiar with in albums. The thing is, in the debut album ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ by Neil Potter you will be able to hear the touch of a completely new side of sound.

In ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ there are 13 tracks, which form the unique vision of Neil Potter’s sound. He mixes rock with delicate orchestral arrangement, hazy textures and soft indie hooks. However, ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ goes far beyond the boundaries of these genres, which is precisely why it’s worth approaching the listening prepared for experiments and unique sound. However, before we proceed to listening, allow me to introduce you to Neil Potter. Liverpool songwriter Neil Potter, a music teacher with more than 14 years of experience, a musician freely working both solo and with orchestra. His love and understanding of music is boundless, which is audible in his debut long-awaited album ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’.

Despite the fact that ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ references Scandinavian myths, the album sounds in very modern tones. This is more like a rethinking of sound and adding Scandinavian atmosphere to it. This is traced in the cover, in the promo photos of Neil Potter accompanying the release, in the choice of colors and mood. And this is quite interesting, because to touch complex mythology for a modern person can be slightly difficult, but presenting this through the prism of understandable images and modern sound immediately becomes easy. Perhaps, this reflects the teaching experience of Neil Potter, and you know, it is very interesting when different ideas and approaches find reflection in original music. I suggest not delaying the moment any longer and starting the listening of ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’. I would like to highlight several of the brightest tracks that hooked me the most.

We cannot start talking about the album, bypassing the first track. In ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ the song ‘What Could Have Been’ begins the story on a bright rock note. This is pure pleasure for all lovers of rock music. Neil Potter’s guitar is juicy, ringing, dense bass beats out the pulse, and drums create the foundation of the sound. I like the bright vocal of the musician with many layers, which bursts into consciousness. Powerful, stylish and incredibly rocks.

Remember, I said that this album is a real surprise? So here is the track ‘Musica El Idioma Del Amor (My Sweet Senorita)’ filled with Spanish motifs. Acoustic guitars intertwine in a hot dance. This track is absolutely different – hot flamenco with theatrical and expressive vocals of Neil Potter? Of course! Backing vocals with stunning harmonies create a sense of grandiose and epic sound. Oh, and you won’t notice how the classical sound transforms into minimalist alt rock, and then breaks into irresistible guitar riffs. Just try this! Stylishly and uniquely begins the track ‘Da Funk Outta Here’. The voice sounds hazily layered on the guitar sound, and the vocal appeals to a modernly unexpected musical style and form. If you like lyrical power and poeticism of the voice in one bottle, then ‘Da Funk Outta Here’ will become your favorite.

I like how in ‘One Last Stand’ in Neil Potter’s vocals appear light folk hooks, and with the tenderness of cozy folk sound calms the heated mind. This track is minimalist, you know, vocals, backing vocals and guitar in the first part of the track. Then the melody builds, gaining textures and tones, to finally strike with its deep alt sound. I want to draw attention to the track ‘Nightmares, Pt. 1’. This is a conceptual orchestral melody, with a duration of 7 minutes 10 seconds, and during this time the melody transforms and unfolds like peony buds. For me precisely here finds the strongest feeling of approaching folk motifs, misty forests, Scandinavian history and the sunset of an entire culture. This movement of time is felt in the transition from orchestral sound to the alt rock part. I am delighted by how Neil Potter breaks harmonies, changes his voice, to in the finale strike with incredible epicness. Flawlessly!

Then in ‘Miscellaneous Blues’ light blues passed through the prism of Neil Potter’s sound shines in completely new alt rock tones. This track gives a feeling of freedom, gusty wind and fills with energy. Closer to the finale Neil Potter forms a complete story in the track ‘Nightmares, Pt. 2’. This is the second part, which complements the formed sound, and in duet creates a lighter and softer atmosphere. The duality of sound in ‘Nightmares, Pt. 2’ reaches its apogee, completely shattering all expectations. Incredible! The album concludes with the track ‘New Found Lands’, creating a vast canvas of sound. This is bright heavy rock, intertwined with folk and a feeling of freedom. The track’s duration is almost 10 minutes and during this time the melody transforms and shimmers, forming a mystical space. This is the perfect conclusion of the album, which you want to repeat!

If you are looking for something extraordinary, filled with drive, history, which resonate with the vast airiness and density of rock sound. ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ is an incredible debut work, and a very high bar for future releases of Neil Potter. Be sure to add favorite tracks to playlists and follow Neil Potter so as not to miss even more original and unique music in the future!

Hello Neil Potter! Thank you for releasing such unusual and unique music. Your sound incredibly captivates with its uniqueness, with a mix of styles in vocals and sound, in interesting harmonies which by feeling sound like thunder out of the blue, awakening and captivating. ‘Out of the Fjords and into New Found Lands’ is an amazing album in which you feel how much strength inspiration and energy was involved. I will definitely show your album to everyone-everyone, let them also enjoy such excellent music. I love it and want more. I am your fan!

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With much love,
Soundville