Meer are an eight piece Norwegian prog outfit based around the vocals of Knut and Johanne Nesdal (brother and sister) who meld together progressive rock with distinctly pop leanings. In doing so they offer a rather different soundscape, this, combined with the excellent vocals, makes for some rather unusually satisfying music. This album, ‘Wheels Within Wheels’, is their third following on from 2021’s ‘Playing House’ and their earlier debut album, ‘Meer’, from 2016.
Meer have been getting a lot of attention in prog circles of late and this latest release can only aid them in their own musical journey so let’s delve in and see what this album offers, shall we?
I have to say this is the first encounter I’ve had with Meer and whilst not entirely converted to the cause, I certainly do find lots here to enjoy. Opening track Chain of Changes begins with delicate piano lines and some rather subtle electronics before a more strident melody is introduced. It certainly captures the attention with the excellent vocals of Johanne and Knut, who together sound really good, clear and strong with great dynamics and crafting an expansive sound. The song returns to the earlier melody and it is rather stately in places, this track really impresses greatly. Behave begins with an upfront bass line and a sultry vocal from Knut, along with a bit of whistling and some viola backing. There’s a very strong chorus to this track and great backing vocals from Johanne and this allows Knut free reign for his expressive vocal. The strings really play their part gracefully on this track, the song is excellent and very strong. Take Me To The River is equally as impressive with some more great bass work underpinning the joint vocals of Knut and Johanne. Again, sensitive and delicate support from the other musicians definitely help with this excellent track. A dazzling guitar flourish from Eivind Strømstad helps the track gather momentum as it hurtles towards its conclusion. It is very impressive stuff all told. You know I said I wasn’t converted to their cause? Well I think that I may just be by this opening salvo of these first three tracks, which have shown me afresh what all the fuss is about.
Come To Light opens seductively with another shifting bass line, delicate piano and a very seductive vocal from Joanne. Once again this music is spellbinding and it creeps up and overwhelms you with its brilliance and understatement. This is where Meer score large, with great arrangements that grab your attention with their sheer musicality. It is simply gorgeous stuff that is excellent and most satisfying to experience. Golden Circle follows with some further great guitar work from Eivind, whose chord play makes for a wonderful cauldron of sounds that set the stage for the vocals of Knut and Johanne who sing together so wonderfully. The groove returns to that opening section and, as the song moves into the chorus once again, you are caught up and swept away by the emotion of it all, simply an incredible track. I am getting deeply impressed with this album. To What End opens with more syncopated guitar fills, all set against Joanne’s earnest vocal and, when Knut joins in, the song gathers in its intensity. This track has a harder edge at certain points and has great dynamics to it. Today Tonight Tomorrow features a mostly Knut vocal. This is a slow burner of a song, I like the build of the track, how it has peaks and valleys in the same song, another highly impressive track with an excellent vocal.
World Of Wonder is a very brief track that acts as a bridge to Mother, this has an orchestral motif to open with and the lyrics are a little darker in tone. The song suggests a loss of innocence and the desire for connection and inclusion. This is Meer at their most vulnerable, there is both beauty and depth to this track and it is quite mesmerising really. The penultimate song is Something In The Water, which begins with some heavy guitar alongside an almost ethereal vocal from Johanne, with assistance from Knut at key points. The subject appears to allude to hidden things being brought to the light, although I could be very wrong of course. What I do know is that it is another fine track which leads to the album’s last and longest track, This Is The End. This song adapts a harder tone, almost Porcupine Tree-like at times. The dynamics on this track are most enticing and agreeable and I like how it plays out its mixture of soft and brutal within the same track, it works really well.
I have to say that repeated listens to this album have allowed me to appreciate it more fully and I can certainly appreciate the crafting that has gone into making the album sound as good as it does here. ‘Wheels Within Wheels’ is a most worthy album and one that will hopefully win Meer many new fans.
Released 23rd August, 2024.
Order from bandcamp here:
Wheels Within Wheels | Meer (bandcamp.com)