After years of hard work, Anjunadeep favorites Cubicolor, just dropped their newest album “Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night”, and it’s stunningly brilliant. Every single track on this album will take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster. But for Tim Digby-Bell, Peter Kriek, and Ariaan Olieroock, who make up the Deep House trio, releasing this record was a pilgrimage all on its own.
In 2016, they released their first LP, “Brain Sugar”, which was met with tremendous success, garnering over 40 million streams from listeners across the globe. Two years later, they went back to work and completed their second full-length album.
After finishing production, securing the artwork, and setting a release date, the group had a sudden change of heart. Unwilling to settle for anything less than perfection, Digby-Bell, Kriek, and Olieroock ultimately decided not to release the music they had worked on for two whole years. Instead, they went back into the studio and started all over again.
Imagine giving up years of your life to work on your art only to scrap the project entirely upon completion. As gut-wrenching a decision as this surely was for Cubicolor, their sacrifice has paid off. The flawless execution of “Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night” is a reflection of the journey that ultimately led to the album’s perfection.
If I was asked to describe the album’s sound in one word or even a few words, I don’t think I would be able to do it. There are so many diverse elements and inspirations woven throughout “Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night”, it would be impossible to pin it down to one genre. In fact, to do so would be a great disservice to the album as a whole.
The first three tracks will engulf the listener in the rich, dark, tribalistic sounds so characteristic of Deep House. The opening title, “Prelude” has quickly become my go-to track to listen to while I meditate or practice yoga. The buildup is intense and emotionally fueled, but it’s serene enough to allow you to relax and create space while you listen.
“All You Need”, the album’s third track, contains elements of Deep House but with Digby-Bells bright and peaceful vocals, I felt as though I was listening to a stellar early 2000s Indie Rock song—a revelation that was both unexpected and completely delightful.
Just when you think you have the sound of “Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night” pegged, the fourth track takes you on an unexpected adventure that will have you wondering if you’re still listening to the same album.
As a talented electrician, Olieroock is famously known for hacking his gear to create one of a kind sounds, a skill that is highlighted profoundly in the track “Melodies”. If you could synthesize happiness and turn it into a song it would be “Melodies”. The deep bassline is perfectly complemented by a leadline that is sure to make you smile, no matter what your mood might be.
Kriek’s love of late romantic Classical music is brought to the forefront of the record in “Once Around”. It doesn’t sound like anything you would typically find on a Deep House record. It features an emotional piano solo that is reminiscent of the modern French composer and musician Yann Tiersen. There are no basslines or synthesized instruments— just raw, emotional piano chords played with such intensity, it’s impossible to ignore the depth that comes through in this song.
“Wake Me Up” picks up the pace once more and plunges the listener right back into that classic Deep House sound. This track reminded me of why I can always count on Anjuna artists to create a magical music experience. Wake Me Up made me feel deeply, but I never stopped smiling or dancing while I listened.
The last title, “The Pale Blue Dot” is hauntingly beautiful, so much so that is almost made me uneasy. Cubicolor has said that this album was inspired by the cycles of time and the cyclical movements of the planets. This title, in particular, solidifies this theme. Celestial is the only word I can use to describe it.
Overall, “Hardly a Day, Hardly a Night” is a beautiful ballet of sounds that perfectly weaves each member’s talents into one narrative that tells the story of loss, hope, and acceptance. It’s the album I want to listen to after coming home from a festival or when I’m feeling contemplative and need to be reminded of life’s inherent beauty. It’s emotional, it’s precise, and it was well worth the time and effort it took to create.
To Tim Digby-Bell, Peter Kriek, and Ariaan Olieroock, all I can say is, bravo. I can’t wait to see what you create next.
