The debut album from Stephen Spencer, Dawnings enthralls in its warming assortments of hypnotic guitars, wordless vocal lushness, and riveting atmospheric constructions — bolstered by touches of discovered sounds, synths, and piano. A Canadian multi-instrumentalist and composer based mostly in NYC, Spencer totally undertook the album’s inventive course of in September, following the completion of a PhD dissertation. This shift to the musical realm is described by Spencer as “a return to a joyful and uninhibited type of expression.”
Fascinating tonal selection is clear rapidly on the album; the primary a number of tracks span fantastically from beautiful tranquility to ardent distortion-laden intrigue. The latter is clear on the dynamic “Pine,” a beautiful manufacturing that develops seamlessly from calming acoustics and wordless vocal caressing. An arrival into frantic electrical guitar compels, as does the next piano magnificence. “Glint” achieves the same energy, swelling from serenely textured piano and guitar strums right into a second-half fuzziness. Dawnings persistently engrosses with its eclectic tonal prowess, sustaining gratifying cohesion inside all of it.
The 20 tracks present an introspective, meditative listening expertise — with loads of highlights. Every observe doesn’t waste a second, all beneath two minutes in size, although making an impactful impression nonetheless. “Chook” is amongst these standouts, infusing chilling vocal layers inside frolicking acoustics, whereas “Rust” conveys a extra melancholic, nocturnal soundscape in its creaky electrical guitars and crackling undercurrent. The crackling impact continues on “Burn,” attaining an ambient spell with its synth-forward adornments. “Shine” concludes the discharge with a folk-friendly meditation, easing in comforting vocals alongside solemn guitars. Dawnings is a totally inviting success of an album from Stephen Spencer.
Stream Dawnings by way of numerous streaming platforms by way of this hyperlink, and beneath by way of Bandcamp:
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This and different tracks featured this month may be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Rising Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We found this launch by way of MusoSoup, as a part of the artist’s promotional marketing campaign.
