RACOON.

Racoon relies on a good song. Sometimes a quiet voice is enough, sometimes the whole band is allowed to pull out all the stops; the core remains a melody that carries the story.

A Racoon song often starts with something small: a thought, a melodic movement, or a voice that keeps little distance from the listener. The band generally keeps the arrangement clear enough to let the lyrics land. This makes the music accessible without every song needing to have the same emotional color.

It Is What It Is and Spijt Is Iets Voor Later demonstrate what language does to that proximity. In English, a sentence takes on a different cadence than in Dutch, while the interplay remains recognizable. On vinyl, you can place both LPs side by side and follow those differences across an entire album.

Also pay attention to the role of acoustic guitar, backing vocals, and the moments when the accompaniment broadens. It is often small changes that give a chorus weight. A Racoon-LP is therefore suited to attentive listening: the familiar melodies draw you in, while the details in the songs keep you focused on the record.

It Is What It Is reveals their English-speaking side. On Spijt Is Iets Voor Later, the Dutch language comes close, and the familiar voice suddenly takes on a different color.

Racoon's artist story tells how the band made that transition. Their position between pop and rock makes room for both sides of the repertoire.

Then listen to how DI-RECT takes the stage, Anouk lets her voice be heard, and Ilse DeLange keeps a song intimate. Acda en De Munnik and Chef’Special open two other routes.