Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Solace

  • Searching For Solace

    Searching For Solace

    Jon Dahlander is a man who, when he sits to play the piano, allows a true depth of emotion to guide his creation, which is very apparent on his latest release Songs of Solace, a beautiful album which enchants and captivates as its weaves a sense of peace and acceptance.

    His last album, Songs for Smiler McGee was released in 2017 and therefore this latest release is an absolute joy to listen to as time in this case, makes the pleasure of new album very special.

    Dahlander explores the deepest emotions, each one delivered a with a delicate touch. Thirteen songs, each one a gem within itself come together to create perfection which begins with Osage, a delightful, reflective song to help set the mood, the scene the moment in time to sit and enjoy.

    Moving through the collection the first songs are all somewhat deeper until you get to the interesting Miss which can, if you are into interpreting mood, be contemplated from many differing perspectives. A softly gentle favourite is Wave but just prior to that the catchy little Cherry wafts in breath of change with its uplifting tempo.

    Remnant is a somewhat intriguing name for a final song: is it letting go of the remnants which hold us back or the viewing of life as we live it filled with remnants of things we no longer understand or need. Whatever the sentiment that drives the creation of the song the endless magic of music is that you can see within each carefully created note, whatever dream you choose to envision.

    Songs for Solace will be one collection of reflective pieces to be enjoyed time and time again.

  • Portraits of Days Past

    Portraits of Days Past

    Noted for his moody, ‘Night Aged’ music Solace Road has released his latest work Portraits of Days Past capturing the moments in life when reflection, retrospection and learning come to one and all.

    Sombre in many of the songs and yet with an underlying softness, the works judge not the moment of introspection, but simply as does time, allows a time of learning and gentle consideration to be undertaken.

    Each of song titles allude to moments familiar to all as they travel life’s fascinating and challenging journey, when Sentiments are indulged, and the wonder that is Beyond the Hidden Door are discovered.

    Drift Away to allow Illusion to prevail, a hint of Yesteryear to remind of Lost Time before Introspective consideration is given to A Lasting Moment all of which is offered through the medium of gentle, soulful and delicate piano, threaded throughout with careful consideration to portray the emotion suggested in the title.

    Portraits of Days Past is one of the collection of songs that will evoke a series of varying and though provoking emotions, which will prove to be somewhat fascinating and yet melancholic, while allowing the mind to simply drift into the many hidden corners, to return having allowed memories to be released, encouraging a fresh new sense of hope and happiness for the yet uncharted and undiscovered times ahead.

  • The Essence of Self

    The Essence of Self

    The Essence of Self from Solace Road is a standout work in the field of Ambient Music which has been crafted with a fine attention to detail, as is discovered in the first track A Conscious Journey.   Various sound elements come together to transport into a world of inner seeking, each variation added to the underlying piano draws the mind to the temple bells of Asia, the sound of a woodland full of birds, a river flowing, the timeless nature of space, earthly and yet surreal.

    The pace of the work is slow, drifting and captivating as Solace Road takes a journey to the unknown depths of who we are, or appear to be; seeking out the places that need to be gentled, relaxed and soothed, allowing the wanderer to discover how precious they are.

    Encouraging deeper relaxation is the drifting, delicate The Light of I. Further into the journey is the robust Dreaming of a Distance which is a little more sombre, richer in tone with mysterious layers of deep meditation.

    In Serenity is a singularly spare, beautiful piece which combines piano with the drone of synth, with a gentle layer of violin as the track develops, to deliver a very different vibe to previous pieces; as if serenity has been finally discovered, the marvel of peace within is being felt, refreshed and enjoyed with a light, delicate wonder.

    Sweeping in is the title track The Essence of Self, a full bodied electronic space style piece that simply is what it is, encouraging further drifting into the unknown, the familiar and yet different spaces of self, whereas Wandering Skies could almost be considered as whimsical.

    The Essence of Self is a work that flows from the beginning to the final track, Virtue of Reasoning which once again delivers a completely different element of sound, returning the wanderer to the earth; grounding is required which is done with the use of a clear sharp sound delivered with precise timing to a measured rhythm.

    A delicate, perfectly balanced album of pure relaxation and introspection, The Essence of Self will refresh the soul, gentle the mind and be enjoyed time and time again.