Taken By Trees’ Third Album Will Take You To Other Worlds

By: Eric Freedlander –

Victoria Bergsman, aka Taken By Trees, takes us back to summer with her new album Other Worlds. Inspired by a trip to Hawaii, Bergsman, along with producer  Henning Fürst, create a very breezy and subtle record that benefits from tender melodies and just the right bit of versatility. Similar to Brooklyn duo Matt & Kim, Bergsman uses a synthesizer for the majority of her songs, in order to create an electro-pop sound. If you have had a rough day at work and are looking to unwind, Taken By Trees’ third album may just take you to Other Worlds.

Track three, “Dreams,” is the most relaxing song on the album. Aside from the electro pop sounds you hear all throughout the album, you’ll also hear a pleasant acoustic guitar solo near the end that perfectly compliments the song. What’s interesting is all throughout the song, you feel like you’re swimming in the ocean or rather walking under a waterfall, as if Bergsman is taking you on a tour of this other world. The lyrics, “I know a place where we can go and you can get back on your feet boy” suggest that Hawaii, and in particular this waterfall, Bergsman takes her beaux in the song too is the best place to travel to. One of the outstanding parts in the song is when the backing band joins in after the chorus and goes into a jam, complimenting the chorus of the song with deep harmonies and acoustics.

On this album, no matter the track, the vocals sound dull and uninspired. The first track “Horizon” and the eighth track “Large” are vividly different in terms of music progression, but from a singing standpoint, Bergsman doesn’t make the adjustments required to compliment the new music to her lyrics. With other artists, they may sing in different time to make each song sound unique, however with Bergsman, you get the impression she did vocals for all the songs first then did the music.

Other Worlds provides us with a tribute piece to an area of the world that doesn’t get much recognition. Taken By Trees, folk sounds from the first two albums aren’t quite as evident throughout Other Worlds. Instead, Bergsman is looking to evolve and it’s anyone’s best guess of where she’ll travel next for inspiration.

Essential Tracks: “Dreams,” “Large,” “Dreams (Coconut Remix).”