Linda Rum – ‘Vienna’ Review

What does Linda Rum sound like?

A sentimental and cosy composer and pianist.

The review of ‘Vienna’ by Linda Rum

Written and recorded on her upright piano, Linda Rum’s latest EP is a tribute to the city of Vienna. Whilst Linda resides 450 miles away in Hamburg, it’s Vienna that provides her with endless inspiration from its culture, beauty, and spirit.

This translates to a beautiful EP that balances being uplifting and reflective in equal measure. Linda Rum uses her piano to great effect, letting its intimate felt, hammers, and guts have space in the mix. The piano is rarely alone, though. On the opening track, ‘Irrsinnig schön’, there is a shimmering synth pad that underscores the thoughtful and gently rousing piano. At times, it paints a weather sound, and elsewhere it simply echoes out like a long-tail post-rock synth. On the daintier ‘Sich ausgehen’, the synth plays the role of a distant electric guitar. Rum plays with reverb and volume, as motifs repeat in the foreground and then quietly in the distance. It’s clever and emotive.

‘Schwedenplatz’, named after the central square in Vienna, has a bassier bustle to it. Bluesy, almost gospel-like at times, Linda Rum grows the simple motif into a microcosm of a busy world, viewed from afar. ‘Bussi Baba’, roughly translated as ‘Goodbye, Kisses’, is a reflective, cosy piece that turns down the synths and leaves us with an in-room recording. I love the space Linda leaves between each refrain. The unrushed approach lets each trickle of notes sit on your tongue with a bittersweet warmth. That leaves the closing track ‘Vienna’ as Linda Rum’s final tribute to the city. It is a track of two halves, the first uncertain, the second a flowing outpouring that gayly gallops with a smile. Synths evoke a spacey string arrangement, but it’s the piano melody that rouses and drives home a heartfelt finale.

In and out in 15 minutes, ‘Vienna’ is a short yet memorable love letter to a city of wonder. Linda Rum’s balance of reflection and uplifting warmth never crosses over into a sickly sweet or ambient textures lost in clouds. Whilst Linda won’t be smashing the low notes and bombastically throw her upright around the living room, her command for well-crafted melodies and motifs is on full display. Now I need to visit Vienna with this EP playing in my ears. It makes me nostalgic for a place I’ve never been. That’s how strong this release is.

Recommended track: Bussi Baba

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