I wasn’t exactly sure what I was walking into when I queued up Incandescence by Smooth Retsina Glow, but from that first listen, it had this laid-back warmth like someone handing you a drink and saying, “I’ve got you”. The whole album flows with the kind of ease that makes you feel like you’re in good company, no pressure to be anywhere else. It runs for just under fifty minutes, but never once does it feel like it’s in a hurry. Every track takes its time, and honestly, it works.
The opener is Incandescence, eases you into the experience without being flashy. It’s steady and calm, like someone pulling up a chair next to you and settling in. Then you hit A Little Hideaway and Once More to Live, and you start to feel how textured this thing is. It’s smooth, but not soft in a forgettable way — more like it knows what it’s doing and doesn’t need to prove anything.
By the time Strike of Lightning comes around, the energy lifts, but in this totally natural way. It never tries to push too hard. It just slides into this head-nod groove that’s kind of impossible to ignore. Some albums throw everything into a single sound, but here, it’s like every song has room to breathe.
Rehumanize and Yours or Mine bring in this kind of warmth that sneaks up on you. They’re not loud or dramatic, but they stay with you. Then tracks like Linger and Novasage (AI Guide) open things up even more. These are the moments where the band really lets the space do the talking. You can sit in it, think a little, or not think at all.
It’s the kind of album you put on during a quiet late afternoon. When you’ve got nowhere to be, and you’re cool with that. The whole thing feels like it was made for that in-between part of the day. Not loud. Not sleepy. Just present. If you’re not already keeping up with Smooth Retsina Glow, now’s a good time to start. Follow them on Spotify and social media so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
