Album Review: Ad Just Meant by Eluktrick – A Polish Rock Odyssey That’s Hard to Forget
Alright, buckle up, because Ad Just Meant by Eluktrick is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like an uninvited house guest who turns out to be surprisingly cool. Released in 2011 under Poland’s Loose Wire label, this record doesn’t just sit neatly in one genre—it sprawls across Indie Rock, Art Rock, Alternative Rock, Post-Punk, and Experimental with the kind of reckless abandon only a band from Poland could pull off. And honestly? It works.
Let’s talk about the lineup real quick before diving into the meaty bits. You’ve got Thymn Chase wearing more hats than a milliner at a royal wedding—lead vocals, keys, synths, songwriter, you name it. Then there’s Tchecky Limo shredding guitars like his life depends on it, Fryderyk Glaser holding down the basslines like a champ, and Rafał Czerwiński keeping time on drums like he invented rhythm itself. Oh, and shoutout to Andy Bailey for bringing the cello vibes (yes, CELLO) on tracks 3 and 4. It’s like they threw everything but the kitchen sink into this thing—and maybe even the sink too.
Now, onto the songs. With eleven tracks total, picking favorites feels kinda wrong, but hey, rules are made to be broken. Let’s zoom in on two standouts:
“Come Heal”
This track kicks things off with a vibe so raw it feels like you’re eavesdropping on someone’s therapy session. The interplay between Chase’s haunting vocals and the moody instrumentation creates this eerie yet oddly comforting atmosphere. It’s like being wrapped in a blanket made of thunderclouds—if that makes any sense. What sticks with me most is how the song builds tension without ever fully exploding, leaving you hanging like, “Wait…is something supposed to happen?” Spoiler alert: nope. But somehow, it still leaves you satisfied. Weird flex, but okay.
“Anything You Want”
If “Come Heal” is introspective brooding, then “Anything You Want” is the chaotic party crasher yelling, “Turn it up!” Right off the bat, Tchecky Limo’s guitar riffs hit like a caffeine jolt, while Chase’s synth work adds layers of glittery weirdness. There’s also this trumpet solo by Ian Jenkins that pops up outta nowhere and absolutely steals the show. Like, what? Who thought adding brass to a rock song was a good idea? Turns out, it totally works. By the end, you’re left wondering if you just heard a banger or witnessed some sort of musical séance. Either way, it’s unforgettable.
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The rest of the album keeps the energy high with tracks like “Deception,” which channels post-punk grit, and “Northern Wind,” where the cello adds a cinematic touch that’ll make you feel all fancy and artsy. Even slower tunes like “All I Needed” manage to tug at your heartstrings without veering into sappy territory. Kudos to Mateusz Majewski for mixing this beast and Christopher Chase for mastering it—you can tell every note was polished till it sparkled.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, Ad Just Meant isn’t perfect. Some parts might feel a bit overcooked, and others lean dangerously close to pretentious. But damn, does it have personality. Listening to it feels like flipping through a photo album filled with snapshots of different moods and moments. One minute you’re vibing hard; the next, you’re scratching your head thinking, “Did they really just do that?”
And maybe that’s the charm of Eluktrick—they don’t play it safe. They take risks, blend genres, and throw curveballs until you’re not sure whether to dance, cry, or call your therapist. If you dig bands like Radiohead or Talking Heads but wish they had more Polish flair, this album’s worth a spin.
Final thought: Imagine if David Bowie and Arcade Fire had a secret love child raised in Warsaw. Yeah, that’s Ad Just Meant. Now go listen to it already.
