The Learning to Breathe Again by Filip Dahl comes quietly and without much ado. It is instrumental, the core of which is played by the guitar, and it is relaxed at the very beginning, as though it is meant to slow everything down instead of to speed it up. Being one of the releases of the Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, it is very restrained, allowing space and melody to do the heavy lifting as opposed to overloading it. You could not help but sink into it nearly at once.
Guitar takes the lead, but it is not elaborate. Notes are suspended, twisted, and floating in a manner that is natural, virtually chatty. Piano lines and gentle keys are played on top of it, giving it warmth and depth, whereas light and consistent drums make everything flow slowly. Nothing feels rushed here. The recording remains uncontaminated and transparent and leaves the track room breathing its own air and permits every element to land without saturation of the mix.
It has a relaxed rock essence running through it, and there are a few prog influences in the manner the song is constructed and discharged, yet never turns dense or bombastic. Rather, it is picked up and down without any jerks, uplifting the spirit without interrupting that philosophical theme. One can hear the touch of the classical guitar-based musicians, yet it remains the place of Dahl.
Learning to Breathe Again is an amazingly executed piece as a relaxing moment. It is that type of song that you put on and play many times. It is a must-listen, in case you are into warm, thoughtful, and really soothing instrumental music.
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