All the thoughts that emerge during the listening experience is most definitely in perfect synchronization with its title—The Old Way, and indeed the song titles themselves. The atmosphere and thought-provoking compositions capture each moment perfectly.
An invisible energy that has a spirit capable of worship
E J R M is a musician and producer from Colorado whose output is wide reaching and varies from instrumental Piano pieces to nostalgic Pop-Punk and early 2000s inspired Rock, all the way to Post-Rock Ambient projects. Due for release on September 10, The Old Way presents itself as a very free and expanded work. While being made up on modern compositions, reaching into far out horizons and featuring lots of rich textural ambience, the track “Elder,” as it begins to form, also pushes its boundaries towards an experimental era Pink Floyd (as does the accompanying artwork)—certainly with some of the sounds that are open for deeper exploration.
“E J R M’s Post-Rock sound has a relaxing and meditative feel, to which he injects elements from World music and drone sounds.”
Throughout, there is plenty of atmosphere and bite, and a nodding towards a nostalgic sense of want, and sometimes loss. The overall effect, however, is one of opulence. The music is lyrical, giving a sense of long-breathed ideas.
“Sacred Earth” expresses a perception of loneliness, it is subtly emotive, exploiting feelings with a sound that gives a sense of reverberation around ancient ruins, portraying to us its stories of old and revealing its most heartfelt secrets. Indeed, the title is very appropriate for the vision that such a soundscape provokes. “Dreamcatcher” approaches like a storm, one potentially of whirling snowflakes in the air—and then, it gently introduces its own sacred voices on the wind—an invisible energy that has a spirit capable of worship.
All the thoughts that emerge during the listening experience is most definitely in perfect synchronization with its title—The Old Way, and indeed the song titles themselves. The atmosphere and thought-provoking compositions capture each moment perfectly, the trance like “Path of Ruins” with its more eerie effect, and again those voices on the wind and filling the air, add to that sense of floating spirit. A fitting conclusion then, is “Soul turns to Light.” A slightly brighter spiritual pathway with conclusive highs and a glow emanating from its brighter almost organ-like sounding layers.
The concept of the journey is accurately represented here, with the press release summing things up perfectly:
“The Old Way tells a story through sound and textures of a spirit walk to gain higher understanding and guidance. The five tracks are different checkpoints starting with walking on “Sacred Earth” and finding yourself entranced by a mesmerizing “Dreamcatcher.” A foggy “Path of Ruins” is the road that continues and is so thick you cannot see your own feet. At the end of the path, you then reach the “Elder,” whom you find encompasses all that is wisdom. “The Elder” reaches out and puts their hand on your chest. You begin to float while your “Soul Turns to Light.”” ~ E J R M
The following video, available on release day, will be sure to give listeners a deeper sense of the journey.
The Old Way is available on Labile. [Bandcamp | Release page]
