Van Norden’s most recent folk release, The Space Between, a paired project with Aubrey Richmond is a beautiful, minimalistic, organic work of art.
It’s minimalistic in its simple delivery and pure, understated lyrics and organic in real human intelligence of the album and the fact it is not overly processed.
Van Norden’s music is eye-opening and fresh. Even the sadder songs are reminiscent of a soft, warm summer day full of longing and nostalgia. Every song just seems pure and honest.
The album opens with the sprightly Stay (Sunday Morning) then leads in to a perfectly balanced variety of sweet, sad, longing and so many other feelings.
The Space Between moves along at a leisurely, self-satisfied pace, allowing the lyrics and instruments to be thoroughly absorbed and appreciated by listeners.
Van Norden’s voice is extremely melodic and soothing. He harmonizes perfectly with the accompanying Richmond.
Some songs, such as Finding My Way, have an almost haunting, sorrowful vibe full of raw regret. But no song can be labelled as just one thing. It is not just a sad song. Each one is a tapestry of emotions, memory and feeling all woven together to create on singe, complete experience.
The album is enjoyable and easy to listen to because of how diverse it is; there is no boredom and listeners will not feel like they are hearing the same few songs over and over again.
Not only do the songs vary from each other but there are distinct phases within the songs themselves, which present a myriad of of changing emotions and thoughts—emulating the way people react to experiences in their real life.
Van Norden is a great choice for those who want to take in and savour the inner workings of somebody else’s mind all laid bare.
The Space Between is in a class all its own and it is easy to hear Van Norden is comfortable and confident in his element and its product.