Inter Arbiter by Inlets
LABEL: Twosyllable Records

On Inlets website, the music of it’s mastermind, Sebastian Krueger, accurately describes the artist working with “the darker ornaments of baroque pop.” His songs are compositional in nature, and his instrumental choices, vocal harmonies, and arrangements have and incredibly dark and classical feel.

The first direct association I felt upon my first listen to Inter Arbiter, Inlet’s second album, was Jeff Buckley. Sebastian’s songwriting captures the same raw beauty that Jeff’s songs do. They force you to stop and consider them, knowing that by the time you’re done considering, you’ll be hooked.

“The way the vocal layers work with the darker toned woodwinds and acoustic guitar made me feel like I was being draped with layers of soft velvet.”

In choosing to use a plethora of instruments, as is the case on Inter Arbiter, it would have been easy to over-arrange or wear out certain musical colors. However, Sebastian’s arrangements are so damn good that everything seems to be in the perfect place at all times. He also has the knack for effortlessly blending electronic sounds and acoustic instruments. I was particularly struck by this in the opening track, “[]” and on “Bells and Whistles”.

His use of voice and vocal arrangements coupled with his instrumental arrangements are what really sets Inter Arbiter ablaze. “Bright Orange Air” is the supreme example of this, but not the only one. The way the vocal layers work with the darker toned woodwinds and acoustic guitar made me feel like I was being draped with layers of soft velvet.

You really get the feeling that you are listening to something special when listening to Inlet’s Inter Arbiter. There is an inherent artistry and the a sense of perfection, knowing that what you are hearing is coming straight from the soul.


REVIEWED BY LYNN SHER
LYNN’S FAVE TRACKS: “Great Exit Lights” • “Canteen” • “Maspeth”
Lynn is also a musician and songwriter. Check out her latest project, The SaVAgE KiNGs