V/A :: Fauna, curated by Ocoeur (n5MD)

Designed to awaken compassion and connection, this collection reminds us that every species has its place—and right—on this planet we collectively call home.

A resonant homage to creatures we coexist with

Released just over half a year ago, Fauna gathers eleven evocative compositions curated by Franck Zaragoza (aka Ocoeur), offering a gentle, crystalline passage through serene sonic landscapes. Designed to awaken compassion and connection, this collection reminds us that every species has its place—and right—on this planet we collectively call home. Timed with International Animal Rights Day (December 10th), the album’s proceeds support L214, a French non-profit dedicated to animal welfare.

A harmonious blend from beginning to end, Fauna acts as both a meditation and a message—a resonant homage to creatures we coexist with. The soft murmurs and delicate ambience of Memory Noise’s opening track, “L’ora,” dissolve into the cinematic glow of Stray Theories’ “Veil.” A colder breeze curls through ILUITEQ’s “Lament,” while Ocoeur’s own “Second Chance” glows with emotional depth and atmospheric warmth. It’s in these fine sonic grains that Fauna finds its soul—mirrored by the artwork that gazes directly into it.

From SineRider’s ambient patchwork in “Moss Sketch” to Memory Scale’s immersive “Moment of Inertia,” each track adds a distinct voice. Zinovia’s “Light and Clouds” offers a flowing piano reverie, balanced by the delicate, naturalistic hues in Mikael Lind’s “Fur and Feather.” Jason van Wyk’s “Light Keeps Burning” feels suspended in time—weightless yet grounded. As the collection nears its end, shedi’s “Invisible Cities” brings a restless curiosity, and vssp’s “Our Souls” concludes with an emotional gravity that lingers long after.

Listening, I reflect on my own choices—eighteen years as a vegetarian—and wonder if they’ve left a mark. I want to believe they have. That in some small way, I’ve aligned my life with the kindness and intention this compilation so thoughtfully embodies. Fauna is more than a musical sojourn; it’s a gentle call to care.

Fauna is available on n5MD. [Bandcamp | Site]