Danish electronic composer Emil Svane Breum-Seehuusen released his 5th album in April. Working under the alias The Swan And The Lake, as far as sunset soundtracks go this guy is proper. He’s studied his history. He really knows his stuff. Nearly everything about this LP – right down to the artwork – pays homage to the output of Klaus Schulze’s Innovative Communication label, a catalogue that Jose Padilla extensively plundered in the Cafe del Mar’s heyday. Sounds stretching from the serene and cinematic – Software, Peter Seiler – to the more pop – like Dancing Fantasy. 

Impressions Of Mankind is a fine example of the former. Emotive, reflective and nostalgia-inducing. All synthetic strings and sparse keys. So too is Road To Procession, which is close to a classical composition. 

Regarding the latter, there are moments like Memories Of Seagulls, that has accordion tango to a muted shuffling beat. Or Romances Jaune’s organ flashes, flourishes and slow, beatless bass modulations.

Another big influence is 80s Italian pop.　Primavera Gelato, Trattoria Culinaria and Valencia all hit like homages to Lucios Dalla and Battisti. Maserati is another tribute, accompanied by some fine electric fretwork and cool Fender Rhodes. 

Jonas Krag aka Santino Surfers adds Spanish guitar to a couple of tracks, and one, Tenerife, is a highlight. Still super chilled, but its mood more upbeat, less introspective. More a new day, a new love, starting, optimistic. Less wistfully looking back. 

The Swan And The Lake’s Impressions can be ordered directly from Music For Dreams.