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| Self-released, 2019 |
Another Christmas has come and gone
and I didn’t get a single pair.
People will insist on giving me books.”
Today's example of “things that make me sad but shouldn’t”, is Grandma’s Cottage. Describing itself as Comfy Synth, the project firmly positions itself in the genre’s legacy of evoking a longing for things that never occurred. While other projects awaken vistas of magic, fantasy realms, or a fictional version of medieval Europe, Grandma’s Cottage seems to aim at collective ideals of childhood and nurture; concepts that established themselves partly through illustrative Christmas cards, holiday movies, and popular fairytales.
Atmospherically, the short album can be best described as getting tucked in with a warm blanket. Its 13-minute run is filled to the brim with pleasant, frolic melodies, which are grounded by subtle and simple basslines. Its slow character emphasizes the setting that’s already been set by the cover artwork and titles - of which “go fish” personally hits home the hardest.
What elevates Grandma’s Cottage as a concept is not merely its warm embrace. While creating a naively wholesome atmosphere during its musical playtime, all songs on the album get mercilessly cut-off at the end; pulling the listener back to its factional status quo for a split second. In my personal case that would mean: without any grandparents, having outgrown my childhood, and with no foreseeable possibility to relive the setting Grandma’s Cottage so craftily explores. It’s this element, combined with the reflective nature of the music, that makes it so much more than a mere gimmick to chuckle over - and serenely bath within.
Due to this potentially confrontational effect, Grandma’s Cottage positions itself as an incredibly effective project that serves as a prime example (or critique?) of Dungeon Synth’s stout illusory nature.
TL;DR: While commoners delve into caverns, the brave delve deep into their own childhood.
Grandma's Cottage on Bandcamp
For a take on Grandma's Cottage's second effort, we recommend reading this review by The Dungeon In Deep Space; a platform that had dedicated itself fully to Dungeon Synth and related sounds since its start in August 2019.