Browsing Tag

Neo-Classical

Georgia Polyniki collaborated with Angeliki Preza and Angelo Bianco for her latest exotic operetta

Posted on 3 March 2021

For her latest release, classically trained singer, Georgia Polyniki, collaborated with pianist Angeliki Preza and fellow vocalist Angelo Bianco to create a stunning operetta.

Georgia Polyniki’s award-winning vocals breathe new life into the Greek lyrics, originally scribed by Theoklis Kuyalis, in her romantically sentimental score. In a time when it seems like beauty is hard to find, the true beauty of voices such as Georgia Polyniki’s shine through. British unilingual minds may not be able to decipher the poetry in the lyricism, but the tenderness of the neo-classic piano keys, the quiescence of the classical strings and the power of Georgia Polyniki’s striking vocals definitely set the amorous tone.

Georgia Polyniki’s latest release can be heard via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

John McCrea sets a post-classical score with ‘Mantra Mantra’

Posted on 12 February 2021

Dublin-based composer and electronica artist, John McCrea, paints with textures of post-classical, Europop and ambient minimalism, yet his un-constrainable sonic prowess becomes more than just sound through the imagery it inspires and the emotion it evokes. The perfect introduction to their cinematic style is the title single to their latest solo album, ‘Mantra Mantra’.

Mantra Mantra is a progressively sensual whirlwind of intensity which permits flurried piano notes to capture urgency while the low reverberant hum of the bassline is a grounding layer of realism which reflects the dread which is very much a part of our mortal coil.

It’s so much more than your average vibe out playlist essential, crank up the volume and you’ll enter a new world constructed by the enigmatic artist who has made a name for himself writing for theatre and dance. His talent is just as mesmerising as a standalone soundscape, there are a plethora of layers to unpack, any attempt to dissect the soundscape feels like butchery.

Mantra Mantra is available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Christmas song to bring shelter to those less fortunate: ‘New Beginnings’ from the sweet soul Julia Thomsen ushers in light from darkness

Posted on 7 January 2021

‘The things you take for granted someone else is praying for’.

‘New Beginnings‘ from the music wonder that is Julia Thomsen, gives the world a peaceful song to embrace and never let go, Despite all the doom and gloom in the world, we must always remember that away from the tv sets, there is still beauty out there and we must never give up while looking for it.

Julia Thomsen is a London-based Neo-classical film tv composer who makes music to relax the tired body, mind and soul, who is a leading light in everything that is pure with the world. She is a supremely talented creative who brings back that genuine feel, that washes away all of your self-doubt and replaces it with a cinematic piece of magnificence.

The spectacular instrumental is so peaceful and reminds you of a romantic movie, the carefully crafted song is something so needed and a small tear will probably roll down your cheek, as you smile and know that life will be back to almost-normal this time next year. The rainbow will come again and we can see close friends and family, albeit with a bit more caution than before; until we can fully heal inside.

‘New Beginnings‘ is a song made to help others less fortunate during this time of year and Julia Thomsen shows us that love and light is still around and strong during this incredibly challenging time. This is a new melody of beauty that will help you relax and think positive thoughts while you mediate or listen to this while you are working from home. Love does win in the end and together, we can all help in some way.

Please support this worthwhile cause of assisting those homeless right now and help Julia to get to the desired target on Justgiving.

Stream her peaceful message via Spotify and see more from Julia on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

John Riesen and Neill Campbell – Oh Holy Night: A stunning Classical showcase of nocturnal piety

Posted on 22 December 2020

Plenty of people will be making difficult compromises this Christmas, one thing which we definitely don’t have to compromise on, thanks to artists such as John Riesen and Neill Campbell, is festively enrapturing music.

Their Classical cover album, Christmas at Home, is a collection of the most revered Christmas songs from across the decades, revived by award-winning Tenor, John Riesen. During the soul-melting crescendos, drinking in his theatrically transfixing vocal timbre becomes more important than breathing. Their ardent operatic stretches perfectly compliment the arcanely uplifting Classical score which is breath-taking enough to abstract you from the fact that Christmas 2020 might be a little bleaker this year.

Oh Holy Night is available to stream via Spotify along with the rest of John Riesen and Neill Campbell’s Christmas album, Christmas at Home.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sidetrack Walker – Will to Leave: Viscerally Atmospheric Progressive Neo-Classical

Posted on 15 May 2020
https://sidetrackwalker.bandcamp.com/track/will-to-leave

Berlin-based artist Sidetrack Walker has released their most captivating soundscape to date. Expect the human psyche to stare back at you when you hit play on Will to Leave which is just one of the tracks found on their latest album The Art of Starvation.

The Neo-Classical melodies perfectly capture tense, fraught and honest emotion. Under Sidetrack Walker’s deft orchestration, the progressions spill more resonance than even the most meta of lyrics ever could.

But what blew me away the most about Will to Leave was the sheer distinction. Sidetrack Walker’s tendency to pull from a myriad of genres such as Neo-Classical, Dark Folk and Prog Rock allowed their sound to spill an alchemic amount of atmospheric intensity.

You can stream and download Sidetrack Walker’s single Will to Leave along with the rest of their album which was released on April 24th for yourselves via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dom Robson-Tull – For A Friend: Accordantly Cinematic Neo-Classical

Posted on 6 April 2020

Neo-Classical multi-instrumentalist and composer Dom Robson-Tull released his latest captivatingly cathartic composition “For A Friend” on April 6th. If you’re as aurally sensitive as me, don’t be surprised if the interplays of torment and tonal optimism leave you emotionally bruised.

The Birmingham-based artist crafted a stunning piece which poignantly reflects the emotions we feel when we experience triumph after conflict. The accordantly cinematic single pairs classical strings with pensive piano keys to lay down melodies which offer a smorgasbord of weighted emotion which will stick with you for long after the track has faded to a close.

Any fans of Nils Frahm and Phillip Glass will undoubtedly want to have Dom Robson-Tull on their radar sooner rather than later.

You can check out Dom Robson-Tull’s latest single For A Friend for yourselves via Spotify.

Keep up to date with the artist’s latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Electronica and Neo-Classical Converge in Ben Alexander’s Strikingly Arrestive Single “Daybreak”

Posted on 31 March 2020

If you’re looking for aural escapism (and let’s face it, in these insane times you probably are), look no further than the latest release “Daybreak” from composer, producer and artist Ben Alexander.

The stunning contemporary take on neo-classical piano soundscapes is peerlessly efficacious at arresting your own rhythmic pulses and making sure that each striking note hits with masterful accuracy.

I would give you spoilers and tell you what to expect from the momentous crescendo, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise of what’s in store once Daybreak reaches its climax. And quite honestly, I’m in awe. While it doesn’t bode well for this review that I’m fairly speechless, it definitely bodes well for Ben Alexander’s captivating composition.

You can check out Ben Alexander’s single Daybreak which was released alongside the other single “Upeo” on a 2-track release via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ryan Douglas Michelsen – Camaraderie: A Profoundly Evocative Neo-Classical Composition

Posted on 29 February 2020
https://soundcloud.com/ryanmichelsen/camaraderie

Strap on a pair of headphones and prepare yourselves to be consumed by Ryan Douglas Michelsen’s recently released orchestral composition “Camaraderie”.

The US-based songwriter and artist has demonstrated their ability to construct intensely emotive soundscapes in the past. Yet, Camaraderie stands as a testament to their virtuosic talent when it comes to making melodies bleed emotion.

With the unpredictable crescendos, expect tension to linger in the ethereally-composed instrumental Neo-Classical work. But with their distinctive improvisational style, the best way to understand Ryan Douglas Michelsen’s epically cinematic work is to indulge in it for yourself. It will probably be in a cinema near you before long. Until then, you can use your imagination to fill in the visual gaps by allowing the orchestral instrumentals to arrest your emotions through the long, tensile notes.

You can listen to Camaradereie for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Neo-Classical Pop Artist Uninhibited Has Released Her Stripped-Bare Power Ballad “Unrequited”

Posted on 20 February 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-266138615/unrequited

Up and coming Pop singer-songwriter Uninhibited has recently released her unfalteringly soulful neo-classical single “Unrequited”, and it’s cinematic enough not to be out of place on a Disney OST.

Even though the lyrical verses contain plenty of real raw emotion, the single still boasts a cathartic fantastical feel which will never go out of trend.

While many contemporary Pop artists strive to find a new evolution of Pop to cling to, artists such as Uninhibited preserve the art form which is the cinematic orchestrally-laced love ballad. When the pensive piano-led melodies lead you into a powerful burst of orchestral strings, don’t be surprised if you feel your heart in your mouth.

You can check out the latest single from Uninhibited for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Casey McGrath – Fiddle Rabbit (A Four-Stringed Tribute to Eminem)

Posted on 18 February 2020

Any fans of the aural alchemy which 2cellos can weave will definitely want to turn their attention to the latest piece to be released by classically-trained violinist Casey McGrath.

“Fiddle Rabbit (A Four-Stringed Tribute to Eminem)” revives one of the most iconic Hip Hop melodies of recent decades. You’ll still be able to hear the smacks of the 808s with Casey McGrath’s delicate yet tensile notes quivering atop of them.  Yet, Casey McGrath laced the soundscape with her own distinction. Instead of the fraught momentum pouring from the Rap bars, you’ll hear a frenzied violin which is more than efficacious at evoking emotion as the urgency of the note progressions resonate.

It’s rare that you’ll hear a fraction of Casey McGrath’s talent on the airwaves. Classical music may not be the most accessible of genres. But it’s tracks such as Fiddle Rabbit which have the power to change just that.

You can check out Casey McGrath’s fitting ode to the Rap legend for yourselves by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast