REVIEW

The sixth album from Copenhagen-based artist Anders Trentemøller.

Trentemøller began his career with the 2006 debut The Last Resort, establishing a minimal, dark electro sound. Over time, his musical style evolved, culminating in a full embrace of dream pop and shoegaze on his previous album, Memoria. On this new release, Dreamweaver, he continues that trajectory while featuring Icelandic singer Disa Jakobs throughout, exploring a fusion of shoegaze and darkwave.

Mystical synths and reverb-drenched guitars merge as Disa’s vocals release the crisp, Nordic air, creating ethereal soundscapes reminiscent of auroras drifting across the night sky, drawing the listener into a comfortable melancholy. With the emphasis on vocal-driven tracks, the album also feels more accessible. The transition from the nocturnal wanderings of #2 “Nightfall” to the post-rock-infused energy of #3 “Dreamweavers,” which shifts into a danceable rhythm, is particularly striking. On #4 “I Give My Tears,” blizzard-like, desolate noise introduces a new facet to Trentemøller’s sound.

A personal highlight is #5 “Behind My Eyes,” a dynamic track with pronounced goth and darkwave elements that will likely resonate with fans of The KVB and Seasufer. The album concludes with the serene, piano-led instrumental #10 “Closure,” evoking the arrival of dawn. Overall, Dreamweaver excels in balancing darkness and light, narrative depth, and pop sensibility.

Trentemøller’s first scheduled Tokyo performance on April 16, 2025, was unfortunately canceled due to artist circumstances, a disappointment given the rarity of gothic shoegaze tours in Japan. Nevertheless, listeners are encouraged to continue sharing and celebrating Trentemøller’s work across the country in anticipation of future opportunities.