Filip Dahl – Can You See The World (2023)
With over 40 years of musical experience coursing through his veins, multi-instrumentalist and composer Filip Dahl has a music career many would give their right arm for. Having a hand in almost all areas of music production, critically acclaimed Dahl began his career as a lead guitarist in the 70s before moving on to engineering and production. The primary founder of the highly acclaimed Brygga Studio, this Norwegian artist proved he has a natural talent for almost anything musical. Following a hiatus at the beginning of the 21st century, Dahl is now back with intriguing, enchanting and intoxicating material for the masses.
From his critically acclaimed 2016 album, Dark Angels and White Demons, to the most recent album Storyteller, Dahl embraces various rock genres from symphonic rock to blues-rock, hard rock and classic rock – lots of rock going around. Inspired by artists like Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Kansas, his music has a nostalgic tinge revealing his musical roots. Yet, while similarities can be made to iconic artists like Kansas and Deep Purple, there is a signature sound to his guitar-driven melodies contributing to a style that is entirely Filip Dahl.
On the heels of his single ‘A View of a Distant Place’, Dahl once again captures raw energy in ‘Can You See The World’. Perhaps it is the DIY approach used to encapsulate a gruffness in the single. Yet, while there is a rawness to the tune, the arrangement captures its vulnerability in a package of sophisticated elegance. Nostalgic from the first chord, we are dragged to the sounds of the 1970s with intricate guitar-driven rock songs from iconic artists like Deep Purple.
While ‘Can You See The World’ sets you off on a guitar-driven sonic river from the first note, the tumultuous waves lying beneath the glassy surface slowly come to the surface. At first, it is simplistic and chilled out; however, as the melody progresses the intensity, turbulence and heart-pounding chaos burst through. Interestingly enough, just as the melody’s crescendo heightens emotions, a steadiness exists in the powerful guitar acting as an anchor in the whirlpool of sound.
Profound and thought-provoking, not only as a melodic arrangement, the theme of ‘Can You See The World’ is a slightly tragic one. Alright, perhaps not tragic but an element of melancholy and despair slivers through the lyricism. Penned as “an observation and statement about how unpredictable the future of the world we live in has proven to be due to the crazy egos of leading politicians; we could start to wonder what our children and grandchildren will grow up to inherit…” Provocative and despairing, ‘Can You See The World’ strips society of its uncertainty and explores the fragility of the future.
For more from Filip Dahl, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
