Daniel de Boer is a bassist and singer from The Netherlands. For his debut album he got together with Indian producer Shakthi Prasad and musicians from thirteen different countries who partly play traditional instruments like oud, lyra and diatonic accordion.
De Boer’s soft, slightly effeminate voice is tailor-made for nurturing songs which have lyrics built around mindful affirmations like “there is no reason to be stressed” (Fly Away) and “you can be free if you want to” (Circles).
The advice is to share dreams, be brave, don’t hide your pain, and essentially to make the big bad world go away. This inevitably borders on the sentimental and many will balk at the notion of “chasing rainbows” (Outside).
The most ambitious track is the last, Remember. This is an epic eleven minute which includes a spoken word section about the need to reawaken senses and breathe out fears. He sounds like an online wellness influencer as he says things like“morning is when I’m awake and there’s a dawn in me.” This new age hokum is redeemed by an impressive extended instrumental workout with a Floydian guitar solo flourish at the end.
This is an album about embracing the importance of contemplation and embarking on conscious endeavour. It is well intentioned but will irritate more people than it elevates.
