Digre - The Way of a Pilgrim
Review by Chaucerian Myth
The advent of 8-bit Dungeon Synth has, in a way, been taking the scene by storm as of late. It seems a natural progression, as the aesthetics of the two styles often intertwine in the classic dungeons found in the NES, Commodore, and Sega Genesis games which invoke a sense of immediate and immense nostalgia.
In this regard, Digre works with the 8-bit element in a much smarter way than with pure nostalgia and retro aesthetic alone. Indeed, on The Way of a Pilgrim, the artist uses the 8-bit style to make listeners comfortable and immersed right from the beginning, without having to appeal to the explicit aesthetics and trappings of Famicom dungeons.
Rather, Digre tells a story inspired by the journeys of a religious traveler, something that clearly appeals to my own literary sensibilities. The first track, “The Anaphora for the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great” invokes an atmosphere of welcoming, but also of contemplative wanderlust, and acts as a perfect track for one on the precipice of a great pilgrimage. It is a more than fitting start to the journey, and the 8-bit aesthetic is somehow warm and exciting, comforting and anxious.
The second track follows the direction left by the first: to “pray without ceasing,” and so the second track begins, tense and pensive, in deep thought. However, the atmosphere is not forlorn, and the description (found on the album’s Bandcamp page) alludes to a “blissful state.” Certainly, the tense note which begins the track ebbs and flows throughout the duration, and, while not feeling exactly cheery, the tone turns to one of relative bliss, as suggested. This is a complicated piece emotionally, and it is pulled off very well by the artist.
Digre’s strong opening statements continue on the third track, regaling the listeners with an officer’s tale about resisting against passionate drunkenness. It is somber in tone, but not entirely or overwhelmingly. The melodies and harmonies build on each other, winding and weaving as the officer’s tale progresses. This is a very dynamic track, and the elements of a good story are present here, translated into song with an 8-bit palette which draws one in even more so.
The description of the fourth track is quite a bit more vague than the others, and so one is forced to draw their own conclusions from the song alone. This is not a bad thing, and the track certainly stands for itself on all accounts. The harmony and bass here are more gritty than the previous tracks, and there is buzzing present throughout the song, sometimes very subtle, sometimes very obvious. It feels as if the pilgrimage is definitely in full swing as of now, and the trekking has certainly commenced. Relatively long moments pass without the statement of a strong melody, but this only emphasizes the melodies when they do appear, and they are worth waiting for while the droning harmony invites stirring contemplation.
Track five: “Feast of Annunciation,” is, perhaps, my favorite on the album. It begins with bursts of noise that don’t completely let up throughout the track while bright, chimey melodies dance above, staying blissful and hopeful as the noise interrupts their song. This track details a journey through a rainstorm at night. It seems as if the droning noise would represent the rain, and the harsh noise bursts illustrate thunder. The effect works tremendously well, in my opinion, particularly in conjunction with the other elements of the song, which are catchy, tonally interesting, and structurally engaging.
On the sixth track, the pilgrim departs the church after the Feast of Annunciation. The song’s atmosphere is one of piety and austerity as the journey resumes, a perfect and fitting way to resume the pilgrimage. At times, the middle-ranged harmony drops out, leaving the bass and the main melody to interact with one another, welcoming meditations on heaven and hell before the Earth comes back into the picture.
“Candid Narratives of a Pilgrim to His Spiritual Father.” Thus begins the final track on the album, which is also the album’s longest. The song sounds, in every way, nostalgic, perhaps even wistful, as the pilgrim details their narratives. It is not entirely this way, however, there is also a joy in the melodies, a meditative and thankful nature present in the chords and drawn-out passages which blend together most interestingly, and sometimes harshly, due to the 8-bit timbre of the synths. The bass here is smooth, and the melodies are achingly heartfelt and spiritual. The track is definitely deserving of its length which has clearly not been needlessly inflated by maddening repetition - a common pitfall for artists in this genre. As such, the track passes by quickly, as if the listener is being told an engaging and pleasant story. It ends with the recitation of a prayer by what seems to be a child.
Indeed, the whole album is this way. Even at its most tense, The Way of a Pilgrim is pleasant and engaging. While not relying solely on nostalgia, there are certainly nostalgic feelings. The atmosphere is divided in many ways - and it grapples with many complicated emotional tones, doing so with subtlety and finesse. Never is the album heavy-handed, and never does it overstay its welcome. The result is something that is short and sweet, a short display of spiritual reflection that is as engaging as it is introspective and, at times, brooding. A powerful release.
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