At the center of every album is a musical thesis. The thesis for Matt Kivel's "Janus" is hard to capture in just three spins around the record player, but as you search you find something hauntingly beautiful. At times, this album feels like a canvas painted with only the darkest of colors. At other times, it feels bright and mellow to the core. This tug of war is odd for such a tranquil album. It is here that we begin to scratch the surface of the album's meaning. For me, it is meant to center and act as a point of reflection. Others will find a completely different meaning. This is the true power of music; that multiple people can listen to the same record and walk away with very different experiences. For this reason alone, I recommend giving this one a chance.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan