Let See Thin is a progressive Polish quintet from Łódź, Poland, formed in 2018, released their debut album, 2Years2Late, at the end of 2020 which received positive reviews. The band gained further recognition through performances at various festivals, outdoor events, and club stages across Poland. During the pandemic however they focused on studio recordings, which has led to the release of their second album, Machine Called Life, released in January of this year.
Let See Thin’s music is quoted as being known for its introspective lyrics, intricate instrumentals, and atmospheric soundscapes. The band blends rock and art rock with electronic accents, the latter blends seamlessly with the rock elements, creating a dynamic listening experience. The album also benefits from a polished production with clear, crisp sound quality.
Having released Sleeping On A Cloud and Divisions as singles from the album, prior to release, thee band offered flavours of what may come on Machine Called Life. As I was quite enamoured with the first album, lets see how this second release fairs.
A sliding synth leads into a drum roll, then the guitar solo kicks off and announces in Łukasz Woszczyński breathy, smooth vocals – reminiscent at times of Marco Glühmann, singer with Sylvan, which is no bad thing, on first track Story Of My Life. One moment we are children with naive visions of wonder and in the blink of an eye, it seems we have grown and see through adult eyes. The theme is continued in track two, albeit at a slightly more sedate pace, initially as Łukasz bemoans the Divisions we put between us as adults, the disinformation circulated and believed without proof. The mistrust of each other, constantly arguing and the lines we cross, as supposed sensible adults. He points out it was much simpler when we were young and if we don’t reverse these divisions in society, it will all come crashing down around our heads.
Musically floating in the air, Sleeping On A Cloud, is then buffeted and bounced along by the rhythm of the drums and bass. The lyrics encourage you to wake up and take a grip of your future. Take control of your life and do what you have always wanted, it’s never too late. Carpe Diem my friends!
A plea for unity and how we might do this is the apparent thematic thread across this album and the fourth track, How, asks us to see past those trying to lead us astray among the dark avenues of modern life. We have to see through the misinformation and the disinformation that infiltrates our minds and is fed to us constantly. It misleads us and divides us so we must decide what is right and to come together in harmony and agreement, if we wish to have a brighter future. Fake News! Fake News! The modern day dilemma.
Would it Be? ponders why the human race go round in circles repeating the same old mistakes. The band ask would it be beneficial if we could see the future and why do we not learn from our mistakes. We are supposed to be intelligent beings yet we struggle to learn from our descendants and seem more intent on ruining what we have created, even though we know we are doing this.
The drudgery of modern life’s routines are something most of us live with. Up with the alarm, breakfast, the journey to work form the same job procedure. Every day, like a treadmill we follow the same pattern, until we cease work and re-create the return journey home. The evening act plays out and it’s time to welcome slumber, but will it visit us or are we pestered by our brain pondering life, the universe and have we clean underwear for the next day. It is is difficult to break away as we watch day follow day and life seems to pass us by, whilst we watch from behind various windows in this zoo we have created for ourselves – the overriding message of Treadmill.
The waves of life crash against us on penultimate track seven, as we struggle in the currents of everyday existence, with it’s highs and lows, to keep our heads above water. Like Sailors we splice our mainbraces and swash our buckles to navigate the way through our sea of thoughts and doubts, ups and downs, whilst sometimes needing someone to support us on our journey. Lifting us above the horse tail waves to escape, free from what holds us back and keeps us down, giving us a glimmer of hope, raising pour spirits and forging ahead.
The community spirit which has been lost is tackled in Strange Neighbourhood, the final track of this album. People may observe but keep themselves to themselves. Mysteries lurk in discarded rubbish shadows, corners of dark a sanctuary for the weird and misplaced. Forgotten, ignored the misfits and the lonely. Dregs of society we are led to believe, but is not all life equally valuable and should we care less for those in diminished circumstances? Do we allow dark deeds to embed themselves in the murk or reach out a hand to troubled souls and open our hearts to them?
Now here’s the conundrum, the puzzle that is mine, the niggling question in my mind and my own personal quandary. I like this band, really enjoyed the first album when it came out and bought it straight away. So why does Machine Called Life elude me, fail to stick and lodge in the musical box stored inside my head? The sound is good, the instruments well played, with thoughtful lyrics. The subjects broached in the songs may well have been ruminated on many occasions, by other musicians and bands, but that does not distract from the overall value of the album. I like this sort of music and the vocals are very pleasing to the ear.
The problem may then well rest on what appears to be a lack of change in tempo. There are no faster, heavier breaks, little contrast or reflection. All songs seem to inhabit the same area of tone and contrast, which, whilst bringing a familiarity to the sound leaves them without stand-alone variation. Ultimately making it difficult to latch on to anything in particular which will stick in my aural nodes.
Once again there is nothing wrong with the music and it is very pleasant, but despite mention on the band’s website that they are open to experiments, searching and combining different genres, which flow freely with an emphasis on “Openness”, it does not appear to materialise sufficiently on this sophomoric album, for me, to differentiate from what has come before.
I would not discourage anyone from listening and buying this album as there is nothing wrong essentially with a Machine Called Life. But I would hope that when the band come to make the next album, they do stretch out a little more to progress the music, gain further distinction and emerge from this chrysalis of a second album – to become the butterfly they ostensibly wish to be and produce the music I would so much like to hear.
TRACK LISTING
01. Story Of My Life (5:33)
02. Divisions (6:37)
03. Sleeping On A Cloud (6:46)
04. How (4:50)
05. Would It Be? (5:59)
06. Treadmill (5:29)
07. Sailors (5:13)
08. Strange Neighbourhood (3:51)
Total Time – 44:18
MUSICIANS
Łukasz Woszczyński – Vocals
Przemek Kaźmierski – Drums, Percussion
Michał Dziomdziora – Bass
Paweł Wężyk – Keyboards
Maciej Włodarczyk – Guitars
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Poland
Date of Release: 15th January 2025
LINKS
Let See Thin – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
