Abacus

Released in 2013, the self-titled album by Abacus is a fascinating modern homage to the golden era of 1970s progressive and krautrock. Despite its 2013 release date, the album is sonically indistinguishable from a lost 1971 private-press gem, utilizing authentic analog warmth, tape saturation, and vintage keyboard rigs. The album consists of six relatively short tracks, a major departure from the sprawling, side-long compositions typical of progressive rock. Tracks like 'Expecting Blues' and 'Hell Above You' showcase the band's ability to build dense, symphonic atmospheres using Hammond organs, synthesizers, and melodic electric guitar lines within a concise pop-song runtime. The rhythmic foundation remains steady and precise, nodding to the German motorik tradition while maintaining a melancholic, art-rock edge. It stands as a highly focused, atmospheric entry in the band's catalog.