Review Summary: Once again inviting the listener into their world of melancholy.
There is something eerily calming about Fields of Mildew’s second EP aptly entitled “II”. A continuation of their gloomy minimalistic sound found on “I”, these Germans once again invite the listener into their world of melancholy. Very little information is available surrounding the band, yet their mystery, paired with their enigmatic album cover photography, only enhances the experience.
While the sound found herein is different than most traditional Neo-Folk, “II” is sure to appeal to fans of the genre, especially to those who can appreciate beauty in minimalism. Consisting almost solely of a vintage sounding electric guitar and a deep tranquil croon, Fields of Mildew manage to weave incredibly engaging tunes filled with a great sense of longing and sadness. The guitar melodies are wonderfully twisted with notes of despondency and are layered beneath lyrics evoking thoughts of times forgotten. Sparsely used bongos accompany the sorrow a handful of times across this six song EP, but the main focus throughout are the haunting melodies of the guitars.
The amount of emotion Fields of Mildew are able to capture through such a minimal array of instrumentation is worth a listen alone. Like the expression of the old man adorning the cover, the atmosphere throughout this twenty one minute journey is nostalgic in nature. It pulls the listener into an entrancing reflection of life and much like its own simplicity connects on a primitive level. Their ability to accomplish all of this with such a minimalistic approach is remarkable and for that makes Fields of Mildew’s “II” an essential listen for any fan of the aural macabre.
