Review by NaNa
Lethe Wept by Fortissimo Hall: A Sonic Dive into the Abstract
If you’re into music that feels like wandering through an abandoned spaceship or floating in a dream where time doesn’t exist, Lethe Wept is your jam. Released back in 2013 by Fortissimo Hall—a one-person wonder from the US—this album blends ambient soundscapes with experimental twists. It’s not background noise; it’s more like background thoughts. You know, the kind of stuff that sneaks into your brain and refuses to leave.
The record opens with “Like A Diamond,” and holy moly, does it set the tone. Imagine standing in a pitch-black room while shards of light pierce through cracks above you. That’s what this track feels like. The synths shimmer and glitch unpredictably, as if they’re trying to tell you something but can’t quite find the words. I remember this one because it stuck in my head for days—not just as a song, but almost like a vibe I couldn’t shake off. There’s something haunting about how beautiful and broken it sounds at the same time.
Then there’s “Invisible Rain.” This one hits differently. Picture yourself staring out of a window during a thunderstorm, except the rain isn’t water—it’s… memories? Emotions? Whatever it is, it soaks you without touching you. The beat creeps up slowly, fading in and out like static on an old TV. It’s weirdly comforting yet unsettling. For some reason, every time I hear it, I think about childhood summers spent indoors, watching storms roll in. Maybe that’s why it lingers.
Other tracks like “Schism” and “Justified Hysteria” bring their own flavors too. One moment you’re lost in swirling drones, the next you’re jolted awake by sharp electronic stabs. It’s unpredictable, but not in an annoying way—in a way that keeps you guessing, like flipping through channels late at night and finding hidden gems.
What makes Lethe Wept stand out isn’t just its genre-bending audacity but also its refusal to explain itself. It’s like Fortissimo Hall handed you a puzzle box and said, "Figure it out." And honestly? That’s refreshing. In a world full of polished playlists designed to make you feel exactly one thing, this album lets you wander wherever your mind takes you.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to Lethe Wept feels less like hearing music and more like eavesdropping on someone else’s subconscious. Like accidentally tuning into a frequency meant only for aliens or ghosts. Or maybe both.
So yeah, give it a spin if you want music that challenges instead of spoon-feeds. Just don’t blame me if you start seeing kaleidoscopic visions after a few listens.
