Stellardrone "Between The Rings" (2017)

 

I was somewhat surprised to see I had not written about Stellardrone before. Then again, all their music was released before I started this blog. The exception being this EP which had passed me by, so the opportunity to delve into this unique space was a welcome one. As a self described amateur composer, Edgaras has a distinct emotive sound, competently channeled into a stunning, inspiring experience.

 Its cosmos theme hinted at in title and album art sets a president that's hard not to absorb. Thinking of whats beyond the stars in the great mystery of the universe comes naturally, unless the suggestion aligns perception? These are slow brooding songs that ride the waves and crash into the beaches with big emotional surges once the momentum has built. A mix of soft adorning strings and synths breath in and out as swirling arpeggio melodies pluck away with a computer characteristic to them.

The percussive grooves are held back, lurking in the shadows and slowly fading in to focus, then complimenting the big surges of emotion that arises. Its fine instrumental ambient but on this occasion feels rather bold and ambitious as its humble beginnings become inescapable, the curious endless inspiration of space and time takes over.

Its probably the absence of Stellardrone in rotation that made these five tracks so potent. It was a welcome experience to get back into this sound again. Between them the variety isn't massive, the formula describe plays out with a few aesthetic and compositional differences but its mostly about the meditative mood that can be achieved with their music. And yes, it turns out I had written about this artist before! Seems I made a spelling mistake with the name "Stelladrone", what a derp!

Rating: 6/10

Stellardrone "Light Years" (2013)

Ascending from the Baltics, Lithuanian musician Edgaras aka Stelladrone may have one of the best self describing names Ive come across. Stella for interstellar, space and all things beyond the cosmos. Drone for the nature of the music, lush ambient drones of textural synths that lure in the listener to deep cosmic wonder. All of Stelladrones music is available for free, an ethical approach I very much like and "Light Years" is the last release from the artist in three quiet years.

The tone of this record lands right within my expectations of the name. Its on the lighter side of ambience and Its astral drones create rich atmospheres fit for deep thought and reflection. It captures the mystery of our universe in wondrous frame of infinite beauty, we listen in awe of our experience of it. Across the 10 tracks different flavors of equally positive vibes emanate from lush, dimensional synths that sweep and a wash gently by as they move through lengthy phase shifts. They are often accompanied by a chirpy shuffling synth tune that loops itself through the infinite. Half the time some percussive elements join the fold, more often berried into the synths and a few tracks get dense in comparison to others with multiple synth tones stacking up alongside the drums.

Each track is its own but in the grander scheme the record doesn't surpass its own moment. There is nothing to fault but the soothing, slow and droning nature of the music has it molding your mood but not your memory. As enjoyable as each listen is, not to much about it sticks around. The drones are singular and uneventful, fantastic for focusing on another task. It succeeds as background music but in the foreground is simply pleasant but doesn't make itself remembered. Solid record with fantastic production, great sounding synths for calming compositions.

Favorite Tracks: Red Giant, Light Years

Rating: 6/10