Cold Enough For Snow (Transparent Vinyl)

In the world of electronic music, the landscapes we live in often leave their mark on the soundscapes we create. For Utrecht-based duo Tinlicker, the chill of colder climates seeps into their latest release, Cold Enough For Snow. This LP, while filled with shimmering melodic warmth, evokes the crisp bite of winter air—a dance album perfectly suited for moments of introspection and light breaking through overcast skies.

Known for their precision-crafted productions, Micha Heyboer and Jordi van Achtoven have honed their sound with Anjunadeep, but here they’ve found a new home with PIAS. On Cold Enough For Snow, the pair beautifully blend deep house, melodic techno, and vocal-driven electronica, crafting an album that flows between moments of quiet reflection and hands-in-the-air euphoria.

The album begins with “Glasshouse,” featuring Julia Church, whose haunting vocals immediately draw listeners into an emotional embrace. Church’s performance, delicate yet deeply resonant, pairs with Tinlicker’s signature piano arpeggios to create a sound that feels intimate and expansive all at once. Her voice drifts between the notes like a winter wind, giving the track a sense of longing that sets the tone for the journey ahead.

Next comes “Staring Down Sunset,” a track that simmers with emotion, while Editors’ frontman Tom Smith lends his weighty vocals to This Life, offering a sense of gravity that would make the likes of Chris Martin or Brandon Flowers nod in appreciation. Smith’s performance feels imbued with a world-weary wisdom, adding a layer of depth that makes this track one of the album’s highlights.

Though the vocal features shine, Tinlicker ensures that Cold Enough For Snow never leans too heavily in one direction. They strike an elegant balance between vocal tracks and instrumental journeys, each one complementing the other. Tracks like “Nothing To Lose” with Circa Waves and the effervescent “Blowfish” give the album its electro-pop pulse, while songs like “Revolution” and “In Your Eyes” deliver the kind of euphoric build-ups and releases that will sweep you off your feet.

The diverse textures in the album provide something for every listener. Fans of indie music will appreciate the vocal performances, while electronic music devotees will find themselves swept up in Tinlicker’s melodic mastery and rhythmic depth. Whether it’s the more pop-leaning tracks or the hypnotic, bass-driven tunes, each moment is crafted with care and intention, allowing the album to feel both broad and tightly focused.

What makes Cold Enough For Snow especially captivating is its ability to evoke warmth in the midst of colder themes. There’s a cinematic quality to the production, as if the music is not just accompanying the shift from winter to spring but celebrating it. By the time the last track fades, listeners are left with the sense that the thaw has begun—that brighter, warmer days are just around the corner.

With Cold Enough For Snow, Tinlicker has delivered an album that will leave you with a glow, not just from the beats but from the emotional journey it takes you on. As the final notes play out, there’s no doubt that the blizzard has passed, and the snow is beginning to melt. Let the music roll on into the brighter days ahead.