Sleepy Songs – “Home”
-It’s a long standing joke for folk fans to feel attacked when there’s yet another song called “Home” written. We get it, really, it’s fun to reflect on the place where you grew up. But here we have a song called home that doesn’t even have any lyrics! Yet I bet when you listen to it you will think of your home, your loved ones, and the years that formed you. This is the power of eloquent keys and rolling melodies that open up spaces for your imagination to wander. This track is a gift. It’s beautiful.
William Haviland – “Hymn for the Dawn”
-This is a breathtaking track. I am particularly drawn in by the phrasing that Haviland uses here. It feels like listening to an old friend tell a story. It’s not exactly straight rambling. Instead there’s a cool roll from one phrase to the other. I can completely understand the natural image of “dawn” here as it does seem like the declaration of some new beginning. It’s perfect for springtime.
Eik Octobre – “Rapid Eye Movement”
-This is not a typical neoclassical share for us in that the melody is a bit unconventional. It doesn’t have the predictable phrasing that we often hear, but that’s precisely why it stood out to me. While keeping the minimalistic piano aesthetic in the opening, Octobre manages to introduce a peaceful and engaging horn ensemble partway through the track. The full composition makes for a soulfully moving experience akin to a cinematic production. It’s one worth contemplating for several listens.
Joomi Kim – “Unconditional Friend”
-If you’re a fan of Jim Brickman’s piano work, you’ll love Joomi Kim’s music. Kim uses a similar basis in a gospel tunes here to riff into a unique improvisational piece. There’s so much happening around the familiar melodies that pull the listener in. It feels like being inside of a music box with the complexity in the high notes. This is a beautiful and engaging piece of music that will allow your heart to connect with something outside of yourself while, perhaps, being reminded of days gone by spent listening to hymns.
Luca Longobardi – “Small Leaves”
-Luca Longobardi’s style is complex, bringing a wide range of sounds and rhythms into the piece. The expressive style makes the listener take pause. Even though there are no lyrics, the phrasing feels quite intentional like there’s a message to the song. Perhaps the small leaves of the track are referencing the early buds of spring time, emerging to have a new start in the new season of growth. This one fits perfectly on a neoclassical playlist for relaxation or meditation.
