Gazpacho: Magic 8-Ball

I’m not a newcomer to Gazpacho’s music, though I have to admit I’ve kept some distance from their work over the years. There’s always been something about their sound that, while undeniably beautiful, leaned a little too mellow for my taste. But curiosity got the better of me with Magic 8-Ball, and I’m glad it did.

This new record feels a bit darker and more introspective than their previous outings. The melodies are still there, floating delicately through the mix, but this time they’re surrounded by subtle electronic textures and sampling interventions that add depth and mystery without overwhelming the music.

Stylistically, it sits somewhere close to Hogarth-era Marillion, sharing that same emotive, mid-tempo atmosphere, though Gazpacho relies less on punchy guitars and more on layered vocal harmonies and atmosphere to drive the emotion home.

The album opens strongly with “Starling,� a track that instantly sets the tone, while the song “Sky King� carries that familiar Gazpacho melancholia in full bloom. “Gingerbread Men� stands as one of the most beautiful and eerie moments on the record, a song that lingers long after it ends.

On the other hand, the title track “8-Ball� feels somewhat disconnected from the rest of the songs, an experiment that doesn’t quite land for me. “Immerwahr� offers a pleasant change of scenery, echoing the late-era softer tones of Echolyn and Amarok, while “Unrisen� brings back the slower, more ambient face of Gazpacho. It’s not my favorite moment here, though the lyrical mention of Sea of Tranquility certainly made me smile.

In the end, Magic 8-Ball might not win over those looking for fireworks, but it will quietly enchant those who appreciate mood, subtlety, and texture over immediacy. For me, it’s one of their most cohesive and atmospheric statements in a while… proof that Gazpacho still knows how to craft a space where melancholy and beauty coexist in perfect balance… cheers!

Track Listing:
1. Starling (9:11)
2. We Are Strangers (4:46)
3. Sky King (5:02)
4. Ceres (3:22)
5. Gingerbread Men (7:09)
6. 8-Ball (3:09)
7. Immerwahr (7:41)
8. Unrisen (6:14)

Added: November 9th 2025
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 178
Language: english

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