Album Review: Duquesnes Horse by Geppetto & The Whales
Alright, let me just say this—Duquesnes Horse is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Like, you’re not expecting much at first, but then it hits you right in the feels. Geppetto & The Whales, hailing from the Benelux region (yep, somewhere between Belgium and its neighbors), bring together Rock, Folk, World, and Country vibes into something they call Folk Rock. Honestly? That label doesn’t even begin to capture how warm and alive this record feels. It’s like sitting around a campfire with old friends who actually get you.
Now, I gotta talk about the title track, “Duquesne’s Horse.” Man, this song sticks with me for reasons I can’t fully explain. Maybe it’s the way the guitar strums feel like lazy waves lapping at your feet, or maybe it’s the lyrics—they’re simple yet kinda haunting, like a story half-remembered from childhood. There’s no grand explosion here, no over-the-top crescendo. Just raw emotion dripping through every note. You don’t listen to this track; you live inside it for four minutes. And when it ends, you’re left wondering if you dreamed the whole thing.
Then there’s another standout—let’s call it Track X because I’m blanking on the name—but trust me, it’s got this earthy groove that makes you wanna grab someone’s hand and spin ‘em around in circles. The harmonies are loose, almost sloppy, but in the best possible way. It reminds me of those backyard parties where everyone sings along off-key because nobody cares. That’s what Geppetto & The Whales do so well—they make music that feels human, imperfect, and real.
The album was released under Parlophone Music Belgium and Not On Label, which kinda sums up the vibe. It’s polished enough to sound professional but rough around the edges in all the right ways. You know how sometimes an album tries too hard to impress? Yeah, not this one. This is the musical equivalent of wearing your favorite hoodie—comfortable, familiar, but still cool as hell.
Here’s the weird part though: listening to Duquesnes Horse made me think about time. Not clock-time, but the kind that stretches out forever during lazy summer afternoons or speeds up when you’re laughing with people you love. Somehow, this album bottles that feeling. Or maybe it’s just me projecting stuff onto it. Either way, it works.
So yeah, if you’re into music that doesn’t try to be anything other than itself, give this a shot. Just don’t blame me if you end up humming “Duquesne’s Horse” while staring out the window, lost in thought.
