NEULAND

Neuland NEULAND

8/10

Double debut from synth masters, 27 years on

In 1992, former Tangerine Dream keyboardists Peter Baumann and Paul Haslinger got together as Blue Room, with (rather oddly) ex-re-flex singer John Baxter, releasing just one promo CD. Now, the two Dreamers have reconvened as Neuland, saving their streamlined cosmic soundscapes from history’s echo chamber by using both new digital and aged analogue synths. Haslinger’s soundtrack chops show in the tracks’ panoramic scale and understated builds, while an overall ominous air suggests universes far beyond our understanding. It’s not all illbient dread, though: “Moons Ago” affects a lugubrious groove, while closer “Longing In Motion” soothes any lingering deep-space terrors.