The Foreign Department

Description

« The Foreign Department » is the second album by the English Astrel K, the solo project of Rhys Edwards, based in Stockholm. Those who are already familiar with Edwards' work probably know him for being the leader of the cult classic Ulrika Spacek, and given that he is the main songwriter for both projects, most of the characteristics of his cathartic and elliptical writing are present in Astrel K. Developing the confidence necessary to arrange songs in a way he previously considered forbidden, while drawing inspiration from the opulent string and brass arrangements of records such as « Deserters' Songs » by Mercury Rev and « Death of A Ladies Man » by Leonard Cohen, Edwards enlisted a whole range of performers to bring to life the mini-symphonies that were forming in his head. « The Foreign Department » is a remarkably warm album. The songs are often joyful and catchy, full of anxious poetry, creating euphoric melancholy.
RIYL: Stereolab, High Llamas, Deserter’s Songs era Mercury Rev, Death of A Ladies Man.