Helios – Unomia

This is the first album from Portland-based ambient artist Helios that I’ve had the pleasure of listening to, and I must say it was an incredibly eye-opening (or should I say, mind’s eye-opening) experience. We use words like “evocative” and “atmospheric” and “captivating” to describe certain kinds of music that elicit emotional responses of serenity and contentment. But until now, I’ve not really found many artists that do this so well. At the very least, Helios has discovered an unique niche in a genre that needs new sounds and aesthetics.

While much of contemporary electronic ambient music is overly manipulated, minimalistic, experimental, or reliant on sampling classical music and nature sounds, Helios takes the best aspects of the genre and mingles them into a complexly layered symphony. I realize this sounds cliché, but it’s truly the best way to describe the unique aesthetic presented on Unomia. The album covers the gamut from gentle instrumental riffs to melodic downtempo to well-integrated synthy electronica to crafty minimalist experimentation. It varies the mood from soothing to slightly dark to upbeat to almost brooding to serene.

Bottom line: this is an album to be experienced. Grab a glass of wine, dim the lights and plug this one in. I can pretty well guarantee you’ll enjoy the ride.

Buy Helios – Unomia @ Amazon

Solar Fields – EarthShine

This is the fifth album from Solar Fields, released on Ultimae, but this in not your usual Solar Fields album, this is TRANCE! I am not going to go into depth about the track, but rather talk about my feelings about this fine piece of work.

Being a fan of Solar Fields, I did not know what to expect, and I rarely listen to samples, cause they dont really tell you whats going on. I did for this album, and I was pretty disappointed to be honest. Not the first time around, but the second and third. Thank god for that, cause it made my more interested in what the final work would sound like. So what about the album?! Well at a first listen, I was at home, and just skimmed through, and it was OK, but then I decided to go out for a walk, give the album some time and listen to it while having my thoughts on the music, rather than sitting here discussing on the forum (haha).

For the psychedelic lover, this is NOTHING, dont even BOTHER if you dont like normal trance or progressive. IF you are into the latter though, you will be into this album. It is VERY atmospheric, very deep and very melodic! Has some acid as well! I came to the third track (Black Arrow) track, while walking and I had to stop and sit down, cause otherwise I would have danced RIGHT THERE on the street. The tracks are rather long, varying from eight and a half minutes to 12 minutes (the longest track). This give time for progression, and this is what this albums is ALL ABOUT. Its about constant changes, progression, melodies and sounscapes that suck you in like the black hole.

Track number five (Spectral Nation) it gets a bit rougher, and you can feel that the course is Changing a bit, and it makes you think about what is to come. Of course, track six (Adjustment) is again very much the upper tempo and driving, just as touched on in track number five (Spectral Nation), but this time a bit more atmosphere. So what started out to be more regular trance transforms into really good scando progg, but still keeps the Atmosphere of the previous tracks! As last track (Cruise) its more trancey again, more atmosphere than the previous 2 tracks, but dont think that it does not have drive!

I love each and every track on this album, its a true masterpiece, and should be rated as 10/10 from me. If it was 1993, this album would have been released on Eye-Q or MFS, that is how much quality this album has!

Now, go and get this one and enjoy the same trip as I just experienced!

Buy Solar Fields – EarthShine @ Amazon