A fully immersive LP from Damenja, The Birds Will Always Sing crafts an intricate electronic universe where industrial textures meet serene, natural beauty — resulting in a consistently gripping listening experience. This self-produced effort balances meditative, aquatic soundscapes with heavy rhythmic pulses, grounding airy vocal layers within a world of nocturnal, experimental intrigue.

The album’s opening title track hypnotizes right away, as the sound of trickling water and mellow chimes craft a soundscape fit for meditation. The aquatic effects and serene instrumentation flow with caressing immersion, enhanced by spacey synth warbles that intrigue with a sense of looming, otherworldly darkness; the coexistence of the calming water effects with frequency-like synth tones is wonderfully engrossing. Chilly synth pads assume more prominence as the midpoint approaches, where the production then unveils dreamy vocal elements alongside clanging, intense pulsations. Showing an intoxicating soundscape with stylish shades of Oneohtrix Point Never crossed with Burial, “The Birds Will Always Sing” is a stunning start to the album.

The release’s knack for riveting atmospheric allure never lets up from there; the ensuing five tracks all delight with their own audible personalities and uniquely developing structural momentum. “See me Hear Me” envelops as well with its initial soundscape, here contrasting bird-chirping radiance with industrial sounds, resembling a convergence of natural beauty and unsettling, machinated movements. A lushly absorbing vocal presence follows, resembling a darker Tujiko Noriko in its mixture of glimmering synths, caressing harmonies, and nocturnal entrancement.

“Compressor” is another gem, especially memorable in its array of both spacious and infectious elements. The song unfolds in the former category, with distant-sounding rustling and spoken-word snippets evolving into spacey synths, rhythmic ruminations, and ethereal vocal tranquility. “Why did I do this to you?” the vocals whisper, with spine-tingling qualities, as fragments of spacey electronics traverse into a gripping second half, where head-nodding rhythms, layered vocals, and vibe-y synths combine for a full-bodied electro-pop expanse; the production dazzles in its artfully crafted build-up.

While it’s the album’s shortest track, “Tunnels” still makes a very strong impression. Hazy, nighttime-set synths and elegant piano move with soothing appeal across the first half, bolstered thereafter by soaring, wordless vocals and plucky, exotic instrumentation. Glimmering vocals hit around 02:28 for an especially resonant effect. “Alejandra” arrives next, its bass-y buzzing and dream-pop vocal clarity being reminiscent of Chromatics. Bustling rhythms and moody spaciousness coexist here beautifully as well. Album finale “Colors of Harmony” then arrives with a satiating sense of finality, stirringly introspective as lulling vocals float by alongside dynamic rhythms — spanning from clap-like enthusiasm to murkier pulses. All six tracks on The Birds Will Always Sing captivate with their own uniquely affecting atmospheric worlds, marking a thorough success from Damenja.

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