Browsing Tag

Nils Frahm

Unravel with a.patrick’s consoling modern masterpiece, fray

Posted on 1 September 2021

From the instant you hit play on the Minneapolis vocalist, pianist and producer, a.patrick’s, latest single, fray, your senses surrender to the ethereal quiescence that ensues through this modern masterpiece.

His artful neo-classic style is enough to bring tears to the surface as his accordant harmonies echo above his distinguished piano melodies that carry little, if any, assimilation. The way he leaves himself exposed through his lyrics and gentle vocal presence is enough to feel you feeling just as emotionally naked.

As someone who frequently finds themselves drawn to melancholia in music, I can earnestly say that you’d struggle to find another soundscape as captivating and consoling in equal measure as this beautifully scorned lullaby.

Fray is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nizar Bredan starts a ‘Journey’ with his latest neo-classic composition.

Posted on 21 June 2021

Libya-born, Brussels-based self-taught neoclassical composer and pianist Nizar Breden has released his latest composition, Journey; through the gentle melodic crescendos, Bredan’s diverse cultural heritage emerges through the delicate score that is provoking and profound in equal measure.

By switching between dramatic, uplifting and tentative cadences, Journey is a score that will leave you hooked by its multifaceted nature, expressive textures, and Bredan’s ability to melodically flit between melancholy and an almost Machiavellian style of playfulness.

After finding influence in the wandering tones of Chopin, the circulating melodies of Tiersen and the evocative works Ólafur Arnalds, Ludovico Einaudi and Nils Frahm, Bredan discernibly found his signature style that will easily enamour any fans of the aforementioned.

Journey is the first of the singles to come from his new series of original compositions; the rest are due to follow throughout 2021 and 2022.

Journey is now available to stream via Spotify.

Lee Olivier-Hall – This is Only the Beginning: A Conceptually Profound Neo-Classic Account of Lockdown-Melancholy

Posted on 4 June 2021

Artist and composer Lee Olivier-Hall is set to release his most candid work to date. His EP ‘Moments in Sound’ was written during the pandemic as the film composer captured the emotional impact of uncertainty, fear and isolation.

The conceptual duplicity of the lead single, This is Only the Beginning, plays with our newly found pessimism and fear of beginnings as the tender ambient neo-classic keys reflect the fragility of our optimism. The use of spatial effect and instrumental minimalism is devastatingly profound as it mimics the hollow, vacuous nature of our new world.

Since graduating from BIMM London, the artist has primarily focused on composing for film, his experience scoring for film reflects in the visual nature of the four-track EP which is easily one of the most stunning accounts of lockdown melancholy.

This is Only the Beginning will be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms from June 4th. In the meantime, you can check out Lee Olivier-Hall via his website, Instagram or Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Momento has celestially revived Sigur Ros and Devotcha’s ‘Through The Horizon’

Posted on 23 December 2020

Self-described as ‘Genre-Fluid Performers’, childhood friends Jonathan Chan and Jan Bislin – better known as Momento – are multi-instrumentalists, performers, and composers, specialising in a mixture of original and reworked pop and classical compositions. Here presenting their new single ‘Through The Horizon’, a mixture of Sigur Ros’ ‘Hoppipolla’ and ‘How It Ends’ by Devotchka, the classically trained duo mix electric and acoustic violin performances with sequenced electronic drums and synthesiser parts to create a beautiful, entrancing soundscape that is at once familiar and wholly new.

Already well-established as support for acts as diverse as Tim Minchin, James Blunt, and Gary Barlow, and with over half-a-million YouTube views under their belts – as well as regular headline shows on the streaming platform Sofar Sounds – Jonathan and Jan have here created a beguiling instrumental piece which allows both performers to shine, never overly flashy yet clearly demonstrating their supreme musicianship and arrangement expertise. Based on ‘Through The Horizon’, 2021 should be pretty memorable for Memento.

Check out ‘Through The Horizon’ on YouTube, and follow Memento on Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Ukranian Composer and Pianist Olexandr Ignatov explores the human psyche with their 2020 album “Messages”

Posted on 10 September 2020

Ukrainian composer, producer and pianist Olexandr Ignatov has countless accolades to their name. After the release of their Neo-Classic album “Messages”, they can also be proud to have their name behind one of the most stunning albums of 2020.

Each composition invites you to explore a different emotion, Patience, Empathy, Temperance, Loyalty, Trust, the track which hit the evocative spot the hardest for us was undoubtedly “Struggle”.

The precision in timing between the notes is almost otherworldly in the way it sets trepidation, torment and a spiralling sense of despair. Yet, it can’t be said that the piece was without any sense of beauty and resilience. It’s the perfect reminder that if you’re struggling, you’re still fighting and not all hope is lost. And with that revelation, I might have a little cry.

Struggle is available to stream via Spotify with the rest of their ground-breaking album.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Composer and Pianist JxPrezzo Has Released Their Tenderly Explorative 4-Track EP “Seven Years”

Posted on 26 June 2020

London-based composer and pianist JxPrezzo has crafted four delicately unique Neo-Classic soundscapes for their latest instrumental EP “Seven Years”.

After an intro track which is all too efficacious at pulling you into the release, you get to the title track which is the best example of how JxPrezzo’s tender melodies can tell a story. From tentative, explorative notes which ring with optimism to stabbing atmospheric dread, Seven Years is a deftly-orchestrated evocative rollercoaster.

As you listen to the light yet fluid textures in the soundscape, you can almost feel the tension in your body being replaced with the quiescently comforting tones. But if you’re as aurally sensitive as me, when the minor notes are hit, you won’t just hear them, you’ll feel them. My eyes may now sting a little, but that’s a small price to pay for experiencing such a gentle yet resounding release.

You can check out the Seven Years EP for yourselves by heading over to Apple Music or SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Indulge in the twilight tones of Star Gazer’s latest neo-classically ambient single “Only a Dream”

Posted on 25 June 2020

With the harsh caustic anger which is coursing through the world right now, tranquilly quiescent soundscapes such as up and coming artist Star Gazer’s single “Only a Dream” feel like a necessity.

The Neo-Classically keyed, futuristically produced instrumental ambient track is just one of the distinctively resolving singles found on Star Gazer’s EP “Within” which stands as a testament to both Star Gazer’s authenticity and ingenuity.

Any fans of Phillip Glass and Nils Frahm will definitely want Only a Dream in their ears and Star Gazer on their radars.

You can drink in the twilight tones of Only a Dream for yourselves via Spotify along with the rest of Star Gazer’s EP. COVID-19 dreams may not be pleasant, but the intoxicatingly ambient EP definitely is.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘FURTHER AND FURTHER’: MICHAEL VIGNOLA FT. FRANCESCA DARDANI

Posted on 26 April 2020

When you are a multi-award-winning film composer, you have an innate knack for soundtracks. Michael Vignola performs a perfect blend of classical and ambient music in his latest release ‘Further and Further’, that feats violinist Francesca Dardani.

Gentle grand piano arpeggios are the main feature of the track, creating a genuine sound that emphasizes the overlaying violin melodies in an effort that combines classic with contemporary.

‘Further and Further’ is where your mind wanders when you listen to Michael Vignola, making it the perfect background music for the next big film release.

You can pre-save ‘Further and Further’ for yourself here.

Review by Jim Esposito.