A Winged Victory for the Sullen – The Undivided Five – Album Review
by Killian Laher

A new album from Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Wiltzie who record as A Winged Victory for the Sullen is a major event in the instrumental music world. It opens with the lengthy serenity of Our Lord Debussy, which calmly unfolds using piano and strings for just short of ten blissful minutes.  Gentle drones become soaring strings in Sullen Sonata, this, like many of their tracks, was made for headphones.

Everything about this album has a touch of class, even the 90 second piano piece The Haunted Victorian Pencil which soars rather than plods.  Aqualung, Motherfucker belies its title, turning into a slow, stately glide.  On the other hand, Adios, Florida builds gradually before exploding into a crescendo halfway through, ultimately finishing in a gorgeous melody.  The Rhythm of a Divided Pair features heavier use of electronics than most other tracks here.

This album will be too slow and ponderous for a lot of people, but a lot of people are wrong.  Best to let it wash over you, it will enrich your life.  For those already in thrall to A Winged Victory for the Sullen, if anything this is an even stronger album than previous albums.

Track List –

1. Our Lord Debussy
2. Sullen Sonata
3. The Haunted Victorian Pencil
4. The Slow Descent Has Begun
5. Aqualung, Motherfucker
6. A Minor Fifth Is Made of Phantoms
7. Adios, Florida
8. The Rhythm of A Dividing Pair
9. Keep It Dark, Deutschland

The Rhythm of A Dividing Pair