SONG REVIEW 🎵📝 Sounds M - Vanished

Sounds M - Vanished
Classical, Neo Classical, New Age Music
Osaka, Japan




Overall Impression: Mayumi Masuya's brilliant neoclassical-inspired "Vanished" is a beautifully haunting and truly mesmerizing composition that confidently basks in its absorbing atmospheric textures and ambiance-inducing melodic explorations, treating listeners to a particularly foreboding listening experience that revels in its deeply eerie nature with the utmost conviction. Mayumi not only demonstrates great poise in her writing but a well-defined sense of creative vision that allows her to effectively target a very specific emotional response from her audience, helping to heighten the effect "Vanished" has on listeners profoundly.


Strongest Point(s): With a title such as "Vanished", I think it's safe to say that Mayumi is aiming to establish a particularly ominous feeling in her music that aims to keep listeners both in a state of unease and heightened apprehension, and I believe Mayumi has most certainly achieved this. From the sheer atmosphere created by the ghostly choir layers to the deep sense of misgiving aroused by the haunting nature that shrouds the piece's many compelling melodies, "Vanished" is very much a piece of music that aims to challenge its listeners, and it does so brilliantly. The way the texture of the piece is constantly evolving over time really helps keep the arrangement feeling as if it's in a constant state of fluctuation, this presents a strong yet thematically fitting feeling of uncertainty in listeners that nicely ties in with the mysterious aura that the music strongly adopts. The way the strings, choir, and woodwind elements so calmly interact with one another whilst embracing some particularly darker tonal elements serves as a fascinating juxtaposition of ideas. Whilst the softer manner in which the phrases have been articulated gives the music its undeniably smooth-flowing qualities, the unsettling harmonic movement that they engage in allows for some rather harrowing-sounding melodic ideas to be explored, providing listeners with a deeply compelling listening experience that will undoubtedly stay with them for a long time.


Target Audience Appeal: I can definitely see "Vanished" greatly appealing to fans of contemporary/Neoclassical styles.


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 both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.

SONG REVIEW 🎵📝 Michael Hugh Dixon - Seven and Nine

Michael Hugh Dixon - Seven and Nine
Classical, Easy Listening, New Age Music
Sydney, Australia




Overall Impression: Australian composer Michael Hugh Dixon has released his new chamber work for wind ensemble Seven and Nine. Over a rippling bed of brass, a bassoon soloist meanders with a delicate, almost whispering approach that draws focus and pulls the listener in. Their vibrato becomes a color, and the occasional dynamic outbursts shade the lines. This first section of this new Classical piece serves as a fine appetizer for the militaristic and spinning episodes that soon follow. With mechanistic precision, the soloist and ensemble trade spirited, rhythmic motifs that come to define the most memorable sounds of Seven and Nine. This is quickly washed away with swirling effects and incredibly intriguing tone colors from the ensemble. As the militaristic atmosphere returns, Seven and Nine is given a strong sense of completeness that puts the listener at ease. Overall, Seven and Nine by Michael Hugh Dixon is a very fine new work that displays Dixon's keen sense of color, mood, and exploration.


Strongest Point(s): There is quite a bit to explore with Seven and Nine. Michael Hugh Dixon has put a lot on the page, and given the listener something substantial to digest. What seems to have the most staying power is the quick, double-tongued motifs that occur throughout the piece. Although they don't have much to offer melodically, they show the effect and importance of rhythm. Dixon employs it as a fantastic compositional device that pays off well in Seven and Nine.


Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Modern Classical music and experimental works for wind ensemble will definitely enjoy Seven and Nine by Michael Hugh Dixon.


Artist target suggestions: Paul Hindemith, Bela Bartok, The Canadian Brass, Arvo Part, Jean Sibelius, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Steve Reich, Raynald Grenier, Claire Bigley, Richard Turcot, Ingolf Dahl, Igor Stravinsky

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About the Reviewer:
Zachary Larson is a professional guitarist in New York City. Getting his start in high school rock bands, he has since toured the world as a classical chamber musician, onboard cruise lines, and with several Broadway musicals. His recorded work spans across Classical, Pop, and Experimental music. His arrangements are published through Clear Note Publications. Classically trained, he holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Denver.