Sounds like…
A gentle Bob Ross string painting
The review
In just 22 minutes Logan Nelson manages to paint a lush sensory world that evokes curiosity and wonder through simple modern classical compositions.
The most outspoken of these is ‘Hjlóð’. It mixes warm and petite strings that are backed up with glacial synths and gentle production trickery. When the drums come in, Logan Nelson gets cinematic. It’s the only track where this happens bombastically and as such it’s a standout. This EP is much more about the quiet nuances that swim under the surface of the main melody and those that enjoy digging for discovery in their music will find this music to their ears.
The rest of the EP focuses on painting musical strokes towards a feeling or a melody. ‘Glacier’ is a shimmer of single notes that feel icy and connected without ever being prescriptive as to where you are going. ‘Satellites, In Orbit’ is a gentle plink of chimes and keyboards tick-tocking time. Underneath sits a vast collection of electronica but it never truly reveals itself.
The second half of the EP is more traditional in its classical approach and focuses on the petite hopeful joy I spoke of earlier. Each track is uplifting and they work as a trio back to back really well. The title track, in particular, feels like it is chronicling a growth spurt. Each string is leaping up the notes and octaves as if nature is reaching for the sky. That feeling takes over time and again, with occasional piano support. ‘Anamorphosis’ has more in common structurally with ambient synth composers than classical ones but the instrumentation has been swapped out.
In many ways, that is possibly the best way to describe Logan Nelson and his work on ‘Lavender Echoes’. I feel like he is a synth composer making music with classical instrumentation. My only complaint is that with just 22 minutes, the excursion is a little brief to fully settle into the mood. That being said, when your only complaint is ‘I want more’ – it is a testament to the composition and performance. A hidden gem.
Recommended track: Hjlóð
Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. There are additional perks for supporting me there such as behind the scenes content and downloads. You can also share the website or use the affiliate buy now links on reviews. If they are from Amazon, I get a couple of pence per sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. Thank you.
Logan Nelson - Lavender Echoes
