"I'm on pause, but everything goes on," When Saints Go Machine singer Nicholas Manuel Vonsild muses with a falsetto flourish in "Add Ends." Haunting, multi-dimensionally echoing vocals paint the image of a mysterious approaching death. Layering high-pitched plucks over deep strings and xylophone-like synths that gradually become more powerful, the song — from the Copenhagen quartet's new album, Konkylie — leaves behind lasting vibrations. Dramatic and sudden changes of tempo abound, but instead of sounding bewildering or challenging, "Add Ends" feels natural and fluid, personal and touching. And, in spite of its dark undercurrents, the song proves richly rewarding.
The chorus closes with the line, "All is lost in yellow light / at the end of the line," and at the end of "Add Ends," the song fully dissipates into an uncertain sonic haze. It's an enigmatic end for a song full of them — fitting for a band that celebrates letting go of what we think we know.
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