Two years after their debut album "Baby Universal" and an interim live album, the second studio record by BABY UNIVERSAL is now released with "Slow Shelter". While the guys from Halle (Saale) were still a quartet in 2011, the band in 2013 consists only of Cornelius Ochs and Hannes Scheffler, who are supported live by three additional musicians. This support is necessary, as the two full-blooded musicians showcase a plethora of instruments on "Slow Shelter", ranging from cello and clarinet to harmonica, piano, Hammond organ, and tuba. Additionally, various guitars are featured, allowing for a Western style to emerge within their consistently melancholic, occasionally slightly rocky indie pop sound. The 11 songs are so diverse that I could imagine them in both a Quentin Tarantino and a James Bond film. The main thing is that the mood is tinged with melancholy in the scene. Thus, I would compare their style more to MUSE, PLACEBO, THE SMITHS, or FOOL'S GARDEN rather than, as stated in the band info, to THE DOORS or DEPECHE MODE. There is absolutely no trace of the former band on "Slow Shelter", and I can only imagine DEPECHE MODE in two songs with a bit of imagination. The album opens with the song "Special Forces", and upon closer analysis, one can already hear a resemblance to "Wrong". The second DEPECHE MODE-like song is "Tombstone", which would stylistically fit with the songs from "Ultra" released 15 years ago.
In general, however, I find "Slow Shelter" too depressing. The album should actually be released during heavy autumn storms, when one reflects on their retreat from life over a cup of black tea. But not now in spring, when we are enjoying the first warmer rays of sunshine.
Regarding the presentation of the album, the booklet, the sound, the melodies, the singing, etc., I can't really say anything negative, except that it is simply too melancholic, too slow, and too sad for me personally. Subjectively, I can therefore only award 4 points for the 44-minute long album.
