Denim Dan has returned with their ninth studio album, โDenim Danโs Circeโ, a deeply evocative and immersive exploration that pays homage to mythology while delivering the bandโs signature folk-rock essence. Following their โDenim Danโs 25th Anniversary (1999-2024)โ release earlier this year, โDenim Danโs Circeโ demonstrates the bandโs creative momentum and ability to innovate while staying true to their roots. Clocking in at just over 48 minutes, this album takes listeners on a journey that intertwines themes of longing, resilience, and transformation.
Denim Danโs Album โDenim Danโs Circeโ:
A Mythological Undertone
The title of the album immediately draws listeners into the myth of Circe, the enigmatic goddess from Homerโs Odyssey. Known for her magical powers and her role in Odysseusโs legendary tale, Circe serves as a symbolic anchor for the record. The sixth track, โCirceโs Song (Save Me)โ, becomes the emotional core of the album. While it never explicitly references Circe or Odysseus, its haunting refrainโโReunite me with my kinโฆsave me, Iโve been gone too longโโcaptures the essence of yearning that echoes throughout the record.
Denim Danโs decision to weave mythological imagery into their songwriting without overt references is a deliberate choice to make these timeless stories relatable to modern audiences. Each track feels like a chapter, with its own narrative and emotional resonance.
The Bandโs Cohesion
The familiar lineupโMichael Halitzer on vocals and guitar, Lorenzo Crescibene on drums and backing vocals, Dave Gellis on guitar, Gordon Kent on keyboards, Mike Nirack and Joe Nuecome on bass, and Ron Petrecelli on fluteโdelivers a performance that is both polished and heartfelt. Their synergy is evident in tracks like โTake My Soulโ and โEmbrace the Dayโ, where intricate instrumental layers blend seamlessly with Michael Halitzerโs emotive vocals.
The use of the flute in tracks like โExcuse Me For Cryingโ adds a mystical quality, while the guitar chords in โWeโll Go Onโ and โEmbrace The Dayโ showcase the bandโs ability to marry technical skill with emotional depth.
A Worthy Follow-Up
Following the retrospective celebration of โDenim Danโs 25th Anniversary (1999-2024)โ, โDenim Danโs Circeโ feels like a fresh chapter for Denim Dan. While the former revisited the bandโs journey, โDenim Danโs Circeโ looks forward, embracing new storytelling techniques and a more conceptual approach to songwriting. Itโs a testament to the bandโs ability to evolve without losing their identity.
The Odyssey of โDenim Danโs Circeโ
The album starts off with โSometimes (The River Will Overflow)โ, a tuneful indie-folk track that has strong elements of dark country, rock, and modern pop, in a laidback style, effortlessly drawing in the listener from the get-go. Denim Danโs vocals are as inviting as ever, beginning our journey through this intricate project. This brilliant opener discusses mental health and how things may happen no matter what you do, but we all keep going, nonetheless.
This is followed up by โWeโll Go Onโ, which changes the pace slightly, giving us more rhythmic guitar chords, and an awesome surprising harmonious chorusโa strong chant-like segment, that hooks the listener and makes this track undeniably unforgettable. Lyrically touching on continuing life after the passing of your significant other, this one strikes a cord so deep it hits us right in the heart. Add that to the addicting electric guitar segment towards the end, and this is easily our favourite track on the album, and one weโll be listening to on rotation for years to come.
โA Minute to Midnightโ follows next which sees the keys take the starting spotlight bringing another dynamic twist to the album. In doing so, we see Denim Dan bring their typical indie-folk to the table with Michael Halitzerโs storytelling vocals making an impact. This track feels like it deserved to have been on either the โDenim Danโs 25th Anniversary (1999-2024)โ album or even the one preceding that, โSanta Mariaโs Domeโ. Track number four is โTake My Soulโ, stripping the whole vibe down into a folk ballad with clean crisp vocals throughout. The gentle atmosphere of the track allows Denim Dan to bring a soulful vibe in contrast to the songโs title.
Track five is โDoorwayโsโ, an โ80s-inspired folk-rock track with rhythmic lyrics and a prominent drum which adds to the melody of the track. On top of that, the awesome harmonious vocals are back, bringing strength and uniqueness while metaphorical words around doorways themselves add intrigue and draw the listeners in.
That is followed by the track that inspired the albumโs name, โCirceโs Song (Save Me)โ, which starts with a bright instrumental segment where the flute takes the spotlight while keys embolden the section and later the guitar takes over from the flute as vocals kick in. Clocking in at over eight minutes long, this track embodies Odysseus and his story while remixing it into the 21st century with a lyrical reflection of his feelings and his experiences with a contemporary theme allowing the listener to effortlessly relate and interpret the track to our own lives. The harmonious vocals on the words โSave Meโ add a haunting yet touching energy to the track, giving it even more meaning.
โI.C.U. (Pass Me By)โ is next, plunging us into more folk-ballad energy, which is definitely what weโve come to expect from Denim Dan. The chilled rhythm has a hypnotic yet upbeat vibe about it, as we hear the vocalist sing about being in a village square and watching someone pass them by every day. Up next is โSweet Saroyaโ, a love song that brings experimental pop with a folk twist. Itโs full of affection as the vocalist sings about Saroya, who comes round to his house and how he surrenders to her. Gorgeous folk-pop in all its essence, this one is a stand-out on the album for its emotional integrity alone.
Track nine of the album is โExcuse Me For Cryingโ, where prominent keys continue with experimental vigour while sticking to the genre of folk. Michael Halitzer sings about being sorry for feeling upsetโmen cry too and we must teach everyone around the world that it isnโt weak to cry, that we all have emotions, and it makes us all stronger when weโre more open with our emotions. The song may not express that message but it does suggest that there are times when Denim Dan is feeling low and full of emotions, which is totally okay, and their future self will see that too. An important track that really showcases that weโre all just human.
The next track is โEmbrace The Dayโ, completely u-turning the narrative from the previous track, even starting with the lyrics, โI woke up, got my head out of the sandโ. Guitar chords progress the track in a laid-back folk undertone while the lyrics send out positivity and self-empowerment to the listeners.
This is followed up by the last track on the album, โRunning Down The Time Lineโ, which starts off with an almost-minute instrumental segment, almost suggestive of running down the timeline of the album itself. This is the track that fully showcases the instrumentalists, while Denim Dan sings about all the different people in the world who may also be running down the timeline. Itโs one to make listeners think, and it definitely does that with its sombre overtone.
The Enduring Spell of โDenim Danโs Circeโ
โDenim Danโs Circeโ is a testament to Denim Danโs mastery of storytelling and their ability to weave intricate themes into accessible folk-rock soundscapes. The albumโs progression mirrors a heroโs journey, with tracks that traverse emotional peaks and valleys, capturing moments of introspection, love, loss, and renewal. From the hauntingly relatable plea in โCirceโs Song (Save Me)โ to the heartfelt optimism of โEmbrace the Dayโ, each song feels like a chapter in a larger narrative, connected by a sense of timeless resilience. Denim Dan skillfully balances mythological inspiration with modern themes, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences while immersing themselves in lush melodies and poignant lyrics.
As their ninth studio effort, โDenim Danโs Circeโ stands as a career milestone, marking 25 years of growth and reinvention. Denim Dan doesnโt just revisit their signature indie-folk styleโthey expand on it, integrating experimental touches and evocative harmonies that feel both fresh and familiar. Whether itโs the emotional depth of โExcuse Me for Cryingโ or the contemplative brilliance of โRunning Down the Time Lineโ, the band demonstrates a commitment to their craft that resonates deeply with both long-time fans and newcomers. โDenim Danโs Circeโ isnโt just an album; itโs a journeyโone that solidifies Denim Danโs place as enduring architects of folk-rock storytelling.
โDenim Danโs Circeโ, by Denim Dan, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms.