Sally Dige - Holding the Sun

Sally Dige (pronounced “Dee-Ah”) is a Danish-Canadian solo artist based in Berlin, Germany. Holding the Sun (released on her own Dige Records) marks her long-awaited third full-length release following 2017's Holding On and 2015's Hard to Please.

Sally has had some interesting collaborations such as with German award winning producer Thorsten Quaeschning of Electro Krautrock/Kosmische legends Tangerine Dream and award winning Swedish electronic/post-punk/industrial outfit Agent Side Grinder. She's also lent her hand to acting, starring as one of the leads in Boy Harsher's Send Me A Vision music video, oh and she's opened for Scottish Post-Punk revivalists Franz Ferdinand, who you might have heard of. The album reportedly marks a change in musical direction veering from darker, synth driven work to something more organic and warmer sounding. Dige isn't the first to evolve her sound in this manner, Tears for Fears for instance went from the moodier fare of The Hurting to the Beatlesy proggier climes of Seeds of Love. It'll be interesting therefore to hear what emerges from Dige's latest.

Opener 'It's You I'm Thinking of' recalls late 80's Cure, the main melody and sentiments reminiscent of 'Lovesong' from that band's 1989 classic Disintegration. Where it differs however in in its brighter sound, a slice of perfect Pop reminiscent of Aussies The Go-Betweens. A solid start. Enya is not a name I thought I'd ever conjure in one of my reviews, but there's an undeniable influence what with the ambient New Age feel of 'Voice of My Heart'. There's a little Kate Bush Art-Pop here too and anyone who knows me will tell you that to say I'm not a fan would be an understatement. That said the track is exquisitely crafted and at only three minutes forty two doesn't exactly take up a huge chunk of your time. 'Sow the Path' bares similarities to The Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil and any number of 4AD bands with its Dream-Pop ethereal qualities. The use of strings further aiding this effect, a lovely piece. 'Strength in Me' takes a darker turn and is more sombre than its predecessor hinting perhaps at her past work. Siouxsie and the Banshees and Dais Records recording artist SRSQ come to mind. A low-key gem.

'I Will Be the Sun for You' again recalls The Cure's sunnier, Poppier work but with moments that aren't far removed from say the Eurythmics and there's a refreshing unapologetic accessibility to the track. Echo & the Bunnymen fans may get a kick out of 'You', the stripped back brooding feel echoing (pun intended), 'The Killing Moon'. Despite not being a fan of that band I still enjoyed what Dige had to offer here. 'Sow the Path (Strings Version)' is a more restrained reworking of the track of the same name from earlier on in the album. While not quite as lush as the original it still has its own charms nonetheless. Finally 'Our Secret' is the album's shortest track at just under three minutes and an instrumental. If the Contemporary Classical work of Nils Frahm get your juices flowing then best drape a towel because you'll absolutely love this. Truth be told I wish the entire album sounded like this, and the well-known phrase less is more has never been more applicable than here. A brilliantly moving conclusion.

Being a fan of the more heavy, discordant and outright weird, Holding the Sun isn't a record I'd necessarily have on on regular rotation. But it is pleasant and for those moments when I wish to unwind I can easily see myself reaching for it.