Further exploring the "inconsequential" landscape of Psybient and Cosmic Ambience music has led me back to State Azure, an artist with a distinct approach to acute minimalism, crafting ambient tunes that simply captivating one in its moment only. 80s Ambient Reinventions caught my attention for its inspirations. Five big hits from the decade past, re-spun by glossy keyboard synths to linger in a incidental space.
The record starts steady, gradually building. Brief echos of motifs and melodies guide the music, borrowed from the original songs. As the album progress track by track, so to does its connection to the original source, deepening that connection. Opening with Save A Prayer, inspired Berlin School arpeggios drone in a melodic trance, propelled by a lean and hard percussive force. So to does With Love Comes Quickly.
Running Up That Hill and In The Air Tonight play soother cuts, calming renditions. The latter extracts distinctions like the 80s epic lead guitars and classic gated tom sound, pivoting them into an atmosphere roll. The enigmatic chords of the song linger in the fold, completely reshaping the original. Its a wonderful creation. So too is another 80s classic, Tears For Fears' timeless hit, Everybody Wants To Rule The World.
This one feels closest to its origin, the melodies play distinct, with similar aesthetics, yet appear spaced out, slowly merging closer together as the song grows its layers. This measured build up creates tension, an anticipation for some sort of crescendo that never arrives. Its my favorite of the five! Feeling like an endearing echo of the songs spirit, observed across time and space itself. A wonderful little record!
Rating: 7/10