Sounds M - Melancholia
Classical, New Age, Neoclassical
Osaka, Japan
Overall Impression: Having previously reviewed Mayumi Masuya's beautifully haunting "Vanished", I was excited to hear what her new piece "Melancholia" had in store for me, and just as I had expected, "Melancholia" proves itself to be another sensational piece of music that not only further solidifies Mayumi Masuya's stature as an accomplished writer, arranger, and performer, but as a composer that has a clearly identifiable style, thus allowing all her writings to feel in some way thematically connected whilst equally feeling distinct from one another with regard to their aesthetical qualities. Mayumi always manages to find this great balance between melodic tenderness and harmonic uncertainty in her music and "Melancholia" is yet another prime example of a master craftswoman at work, delicately weaving her themes together with such efficiency and finesse whilst managing to paint a deeply alluring arrangement that is never short of musical awe.
Strongest Point(s): Whilst it's clear that "Melancholia" is absolutely brimming with compelling performances and thought-provoking writing, it's the way in which Mayumi is able to evoke such powerful and distinct emotional responses from her listeners that allows her music to instantly grip you. As the title suggests, this is a piece that is underpinned by a feeling of great sadness and hopelessness, and just as a person may suffer from Melancholia itself, the music serves as a powerful musical metaphor that accurately depicts the sense of emotional turbulence that many unfortunately experience. From the somber strings and sorrowful nature of the subtle choir elements to the erratic nature of the animated piano progressions and despair-inducing wooding phrases, "Melancholia" perfectly mimics the unpredictable nature of one's own emotional state, and does so beautifully.
Target Audience Appeal: "Melancholia" is a superb piece and I'm sure lovers of atmosphere-heavy classical music will adore what Mayumi Masuya has crafted.
Artist target suggestions: Jóhann Jóhannsson, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Joep Beving, Danny Elfman, Nicholas Hooper, Howard Shore, Edmund Finnis, Dimitri Cervo, Max Richter, Collin Ankerson
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become more proficient in home recording.