Sanguine Hum – Now We Have Power (Bad Elephant Music, 2018)
British progressive rock band Sanguine Hum solidified their place in the modern prog landscape with Now We Have Power (2018), a masterful sequel to their 2015 concept album Now We Have Light.
Dreamlike yet deliberate, Now We Have Power unfolds with soft, ethereal vocals, elegant acoustic piano, splendid synth melodies, and delicate acoustic guitars. The album thrives in its atmospheric subtleties, layering mesmerizing electronic textures with intricate, expressive drumming that never settles for convention. But Sanguine Hum doesn’t just dwell in the realm of the serene, they push forward into jazz-rock territory, infusing the record with Canterbury-esque flourishes and rhythmic dexterity.
The band’s influences paint a fascinating mosaic: from the electronic warmth of Boards of Canada to the introspective lyricism of Tim Bowness, the post-rock textures of Tortoise, and the complex, angular compositions of Gentle Giant and Frank Zappa. Their palette even extends into contemporary Western classical music.
Drummer Paul Mallyon, an original member, returned as a guest on the album. Guitarist and vocalist Joff Winks described the process: “Making Now We Have Power has been a long but enjoyable journey.”
Sanguine Hum was formed in the early 2000s as a collaboration between school friends Joff Winks and Matt Baber. Initially performing under names like Joff Winks Band and Antique Seeking Nuns, the group solidified its identity with Diving Bell (2009). Subsequent releases, including The Weight of the World (2013), brought critical acclaim.
Following the ambitious Now We Have Light in 2015, Sanguine Hum revisited earlier material, re-releasing Songs for Days under their current moniker as What We Ask Is Where We Begin (2016). With Now We Have Power, the band further refined its progressive rock vision.
Musicians: Joff Winks on guitars, vocals; Matt Baber on keyboards, soundscapes; Brad Waissman on bass; and Paul Mallyon on drums.
Buy Now We Have Power.