What does Edward Cross sound like?

Evocative composer who blends modern classical compositions with a filmic narrative flair.

The review of ‘When The Dust Settles’ by Edward Cross

When I listen to Edward Cross’s music, I always forget that his solo work is not tied to a TV show or film. I make that mistake because each song is titled, composed, recorded, and performed in such a way that it tells a story all of its own every single time. That ruling can be applied to Edward’s latest EP, ‘When The Dust Settles’. Each of the tracks seems to revel in an emotional teardrop frozen in time, the moment after a revelation has occurred. Sometimes heavy, often optimistic, Cross’s piano-based compositions are tender and inviting.

Kicking off with the space between notes, the title track brings in heavy atmospherics through its background strings. Questioning, tentative, and unsure piano chords carefully rise up the octaves as a textured cello and violin swell from icy bow pulls to a rhythmic saw. The whole piece could fit a Scandinavian thriller and it sets the sensitive tone for the rest of the release. ‘The Weight of Silence’ uses pauses between motifs beautifully to signal the ripples of emotional devastation between truth bombs of piano, violin, and cello. Edward Cross takes his time in the first half, before the track opens to flowing abundance and a galloping conclusion with bittersweet undertones. There is something very British about this track that I can’t quite pinpoint. I think it may be the sadness bleeding through the optimism…

‘What Remains’ is the moodiest piece on the EP. Lost, meandering, and unmoored from home, the first two minutes are quite minimalist before being joined by clouds of strings that bustle underneath occasional powerful piano chords. It is the perfect underscore for surveying the damage. ‘Bloom’ integrates some tonal electronic atmospherics into the mix like a pulse. Add in Cross playing his trombone for a quietly rousing piece, and you have an underrated blossoming of a track. Initially, the track has a dangerous quality to it, but as bird song scatters and the clarinet sweeps in, the track takes flight. Much like a cape unveiling a mystery underneath, this song is the trickiest to pin down, but therefore the most curious for me to explore on repeat. The EP ends on the boundless joy of ‘The Feeling’s Mutual’. When paired with the adorable teenage first kiss music video, this song tells a story of a romantic butterflies-in-the-stomach confirmation of attraction. Everything from the galloping, rousing piano, the soaring strings and brass, to the triumphant cymbal crash, is pure cinema. Some may say it is a little twee; I say it revels in the simple pleasures of relief and excitement.

Tender, confident, and without overdoing or hamming it up, Edward Cross’s latest EP is yet another reminder that he is an excellent composer and performer. These songs tell stories without visuals. They take you on thoughtful and emotive journeys in your mind and spirit. Anyone who enjoys piano-based modern classical music with a filmic flair will find something to sink into with ‘When The Dust Settles’, and you’ll return back to it again and again.

Recommended track: The Feeling’s Mutual

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.