The Seperate Republic is Art Abscons 6th official album since 2008. The project has been released on various labels from Skull Line to Old Europa Cafe. Any one who knows the project will know it’s lush textures and neo-classical / martial sensibilities. However, this album is more than just whats gone before, The Separate Republic is a collection of thirteen tracks that just burst from your speakers.

Beginning with the forty one second “Heritage Abscons” a gorgeous symphony of a track that ends before it starts.  “Durch Zeit Und Traum” is both hypnotic and repetitive, there is almost a pop sensibility to this track that has a gorgeous brass element to it as the track marches forward the militaristic drumming just adds to this track.  This is like Lee Hazelwood meeting Phil Spector at a Death In June gig.

Each track tells a different story, and each is almost a different lineup of the same band, Art Abscons has a talent for song writing that, as he himself says,  shows he probably prefers music to people. He’s certainly caressing and nurturing his songs like a proud parent and only allows them out into the cruel world once he knows they are ready.  For example, “Im Tal Der Schmerzen” is a stately paced piece full of hope and yearning that could easily be the winning entry of “Eurovisions Hidden Reverse”!

Art Abscons has a capacity to write songs that just sound easy. The music is wondrous and beguiling. The Separate Republic is quite probably his finest album to date, which begs the question... just how can a better one be produced?! However he can, I can’t wait for the result.