Album: Closing The Door by Ratchet

Dutch alt-rock one-man-show Ratchet releases his latest album, “Closing The Door,” exploring themes of loss, nostalgia, depression, and maintaining high spirits…it’s many things, more like a musical and lyrical adventure than that of an album as we know it…it’s dark, it’s musical, it sounds new and fresh…it’s a highly addictive sonic romp.

Drawing inspiration from various musical genres, Ratchet poetically shares his personal problems with the world. The album features abstract sounds, and ambient-ish dreamy guitars, expressing emotions and feelings with a completely new point of view.

Similar to previous albums, Ratchet’s mysterious and dark themes return.

“Closing The Door” is a one-hour-long album, with 18 tracks and many turns and twists that will keep you hooked from the very first to the very last second.

The album kicks the journey off with “The Stage is Set”, a dark, dreamy and richly created song giving off some excellent TOOL vibes…now come to think of it, the name “Ratchet” is a kind of a tool, isn’t it?

…coincidence? Perhaps!

The album is off to an excellent start…

…it takes a turn with the second song “Reply” and goes for the hopeful side of the experience…a brighter melody that continues to grab our attention…

With another musical twist with the following song “Afterlife”…which introduces a more modern-sounding beat experience, changing things up while maintaining what makes “Ratchet” still “Ratchet”…the darker themes and masterfully crafted layers of sounds, textures, and brilliant vocal performance.

Ratchet incorporates strong storytelling elements and it absolutely shines with a song like “Noisy Dream”…which starts with a narrator describing a scene for us, until the buttery smooth dreamy vocals kick in and just transport us instantly…another example of incorporating storytelling elements would be the song “Zombie” that doesn’t only set the scene with its intro sound effects, but also with its creepy guitar riff that fills the air with a bit of horror and the beats breathes some suspense too…

Ratchet also does something with the album that is pretty unique and amazing…he’s creating some lovely guitar sounds and riffs, like with “Full Moon”…both of these elements are on full display here within a unique musical context…emotionally driven and creatively realized.

Ratchet ends his musical journey with “Our Last Night”, with its highly cinematic intro, that might have been a ukulele, a guitalele, or played on a guitar higher frets…in any way, it’s mesmerizing and magical…and of course, the vocals play an integral part of the emotional journey of this experience as well.

Ratchet manages to create a unique sound and create a new voice in the alternative realm…” Closing The Door” is an experience not to be missed at all costs…make sure to check it out right away…right now!

Wishing all the best to Ratchet, we’ve enjoyed this trip way too much.

Cheers!