Atanaria
With Aloha Means Goodbye, Troy Von Balthazar delivers a rare beauty of an album, oscillating between fragility and intensity. Recorded in self-imposed solitude in his home studio in Angoulême throughout 2024, this opus unfolds a lo-fi folk sound that is both stripped-down and profound, imbued with disarming sincerity. Far from resting on his laurels, the Hawaiian artist explores musical territories where emotion reigns supreme, giving each track a distinct identity.
Right from the start, Hammertime sets the tone with its crystalline atmosphere—a simple melody played with precision, capturing the listener from the first notes. Followed by Boom Boom, the album draws us into a more stripped-down world, where guitars, almost weightless, weave an intimate and vibrant ambiance. Then comes Her American, a sensitive track laced with darker undertones that add to its depth.
The album’s progression is fascinating. Swimmer begins with a calm, aquatic feel before being submerged in a wave of raw electricity, while Please? offers a moment of exquisite lightness. Nothing here feels unnecessary; each song naturally finds its place. St Patience and Poison Juice continue this line of intense minimalism, demonstrating absolute mastery of expressive restraint.
The album reaches new heights with Let’s Not Forget To Panic, where subtle brass elements add a sense of grandeur without ever becoming excessive. So Sunny glows with a gentle radiance, while Nurse 13 tends to emotional wounds with rare poignancy. Finally, the title track, Aloha Means Goodbye, closes this musical journey with sober emphasis—like a farewell that lingers long after the final note.
While one might wish for a few more bursts of extravagance, the album remains a folk masterpiece—an intimate and luminous journey. Troy Von Balthazar once again proves his ability to capture raw emotion with unparalleled finesse. Aloha Means Goodbye is an album that will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on hearts and minds.
