Dan Knishkowy returns with ‘Watch the Sunflowers’, the latest release under his Adeline Hotel moniker. Written in a way where Dan would revisit songs he’s previously written and adapt them depending on his perspective at the time(s), it promises to be a fragile and fascinating listen.
Swaying and smooth Sufjan-style guitar opens the album with ‘Dreaming’, a song that also has talk of ‘holy visions’, dreams and salvation before adding in stirring strings. The glacial, Antlers-esque atmospherics of ‘Nothing’ continue to herald the emotional depths of the record as Dan Knishknowy’s hushed vocals ponder different views against a backdrop of old-school folk and mystic charm. Before electric guitars come crushing in two minutes from the end.
‘Swimming’ offers a melancholic look back at a past romance – ‘there was symmetry’ – and fond memories: ‘Dipped my fingers in honey. Made you laugh, I was not funny’. ‘Just Like You’ harks back to the ’60s with its pop-fuelled melodies , while ‘Spaces’ is all dreamy effects and intricate guitar work. The 6 and a half minute title track closes the album with a perfectly poignant touch, words like ‘When I think of you, I still think of that day’ surrounded by the genteel piano.
With ‘Watch the Sunflowers’, you can hear Adeline Hotel grow – and it’s beautiful.
