Matters of Mind, Body and Soul - Self-Care Books for Mental Wellness, Physical Health & Spiritual Growth | Perfect for Meditation, Yoga & Personal Development

This may be my favorite clan of Xymox album, definitely since their return! It is so consistant and really flows the whole way through. It is a melancholic masterpiece that tears at the heart, with songs of love and loss. The Baritone vocal style only surfaces hear and there in favor of Ronny Moorings signature emotive crooning that he has done so well since the early 4AD days. I'd go as far as to say this is the best I've ever heard him sing!The album opens with a brilliant instrumental track that flows seemlessly into track number 2, the beautiful She's Falling in Love. This opening is one of the albums strengths. I was growing tired of the usual first track being a single that stood out from the albums instead of setting the tone.The tempo is subdued but fits perfect with the lyrical content. The album is melodic, romantic, atmospheric, airy, at times intense and beautiful. The lyrical cliches are gone, just honest emotional goodness here. The instrumentation is a perfect balance of electronic and natural sounding instruments. There isn't a lot of guitar, but it doesn't matter, the way these songs are put together I didn't even really notice until I thought about it.I'll leave the track by track breakdown to someone else. I just wanted to convey the overall sound of the LP. This is 12 tracks instead of the usual 10 and there is not a single throw away. Yup, it is a straight through listen with many moments of brilliance.If Farewell was their dance album, this is on the other side of the spectrum. I appreciate both Medusa and Farewell for what they are, consistant. Matters of Mind,Body, and Soul has this consistancy, maybe even themed. Ronny was saying its a perfect Valentines present, this album has much more honest love put into it. Matters of Mind, "Heart" and Soul might be a more fitting title, but the heart resides in the Body so there you go ;).This is the one I've been waiting for since i heard wake up darling, home sweet home, morning glow, sea of doubt etc., thinking if only a whole album had this feel, well here it is! A masterpiece that gets better with each listen. The album closes gentley with another instrumental track... Ahhhh, well done Ronny!! Well done!