Efterklang keep their music in flux on Things We Have In Common

From the sweeping orchestral arrangements of Parades (2007) to the glitchy electro-pop of Piramida (2012), and the introspective warmth of Altid Sammen (2019), the core Danish trio of Casper Clausen (Vocals), Mads Brauer (Electronics, and Rasmus Stolberg (Bass) are once more joined by pianist and co-songwriter Rune Mølgaard as they present a new album in celebration of human connection and community.

With Things We Have in Common, Efterklang once again veers into a new territory while remaining faithful to the core values that have sustained their journey for over two decades. They blend gorgeously rich textures woven into a fabric of post-rock and ambient sounds with the fragility of Clausen’s vocals shifting around, sometimes masked by effects of “Shelf Break” or the evocative harmonies of the opening track “Balancing Stones”.

The latter sets the stage with its gently pulsing electronic undertow and the delicate interplay between voice and ambient production. The lyrics are meditative, offering a kind of existential tenderness that Efterklang has perfected, pondering human connection amidst a world teetering on disarray. There’s a familiarity in the sound, reminiscent of their earlier work but with a stripped-down approach that feels more intimate.

A key theme across Things We Have in Common is the exploration of unity, fragility, and the space between isolation and togetherness, all ideas the band has been subtly touching upon throughout their career but perhaps more apt now that Mølgaard has been welcomed back into the fold following his departure from the Mormon faith, that in itself drew him away from the band initially.

On tracks like “Plant” and “Getting Reminders” Clausen’s lyrical depth explores the natural world as a metaphor for human emotions. These songs, textured with lush synth pads and muted percussive elements, carry an atmospheric quality that evokes Efterklang’s love for blending organic and digital soundscapes. The production, at times ethereal and other times grounding, creates a world that feels both expansive and personal, reflecting their growth since their debut.

Instrumentally, Things We Have in Common finds Efterklang continuing to refine their unique balance between post-rock and electronica, though this time with a more minimalist touch. While Altid Sammen incorporated orchestral strings and choral arrangements that swirled around the Danish language, this album shifts toward sparse, poignant arrangements where silence and space play as much a role as sound. Tracks like more discordant jazz-infused “Ambulance” embrace a subtle grandeur, relying on vocal harmonies and slow-building dynamics to create emotional weight without ever threatening to be bombastic.

Calming and hypnotic “Sentiment,” is built around shimmering piano and vocals, building to a subtle crescendo as it states “Everything revolves around love” and its transformative power. Lyrically, it also fits within the album’s larger focus on elemental connections, a conversation between the individual and the greater natural world. Where the album shines most is in its refusal to overwhelm. The band has always been about crafting immersive, cinematic music, but here, they have found beauty in restraint. There’s a gentleness and humility to this record that feels in tune with the times, offering a quiet reminder of the beauty found in vulnerability and the unseen threads that bind us together.

Their diverse discography is only very subtly served here as a lot can be traced back to other songs and albums so while there is growth it isn’t a radical shift by any means. It’s an album that doesn’t demand attention but rewards those willing to sit with it, probably best described as an understated success. It would seem the more things change, the more they stay the same.