What does Piotr Wiese sound like? Introspective pianist and composer, living life in the quieter spaces of contemporary classical music. The review of Piotr Wiese – I Will Keep Sailing Sneaking out at the last bells of 2023, Piotr Wiese’s new EP ‘I Will Keep Sailing’ might be a 20-minute moment on the ears, but the tracks span five years of Wiese’s life. During that time he found love, became a recording musician and relocated multiple times. With that whirlwind backdrop, this EP brings a collective of reflective piano ditties of balance romance and nostalgia. Piotr Wiese Piotr Wiese has chose ..read more

What does Alex Musatov sound like? Taking violin looping into the majestic gothic folk realm. The review of Alex Musatov – Passages Vol.4 Violinist, singer and composer Alex Musatov is the latest artist to be featured in Shika Shika’s Passages collection. This collection features artists who have taken a physical passage and journey from their country of birth to another area. Alex was born in Russia but moved to Argentina and fell in love with the country. This EP sees Musatov take his violin and put it through its paces in a superb collection of songs that reminds me a little of Completions ..read more

What does Anoice sound like? Equal parts experimental cinematic ambience and neo-classical darkness. The review of Anoice – Unerasable Fire Instrumental band Anoice prepares an audio treat with every release and it usually tells a story. I’ve yet to find another band that scratches quite the same cinematic and symphonic itch as Anoice. Their mix of ambient, neo-classical, modern jazz and experimental electronica allows Anoice to paint a richly detailed narrative and this EP is very much a sister to their previous work ‘invisible wall’. In that, dark and quiet moods gave way to moments of emoti ..read more

What does Hanakiv sound like? Hauschka’s prepared piano cascading down a waterfall to oblivion. The review of Hanakiv – Goodbyes I think Hanakiv has a sense of humour when it comes to song titles. On her debut album ‘Goodbyes’ she has two titled Meditation, two titled Home and none of them sound like how you would expect them to. Indeed, Hanakiv’s debut is a really challenging album on many levels but it is one drenched in passion and emotion. Every note that she hammers out on her prepared pianos is a visceral threat to the ears in a way you rarely hear from the alt-jazz world and her label G ..read more

What does Ô Lake sound like? Modern neoclassical compositions that score the cinematic introspective moments of life. The review of Ô Lake – Still Sylvain Texier has been making neoclassical music as Ô Lake for a few years now and each release takes on a slightly different slant. With ‘Still’, Ô Lake explores more creative electronica elements in his compositions. Whilst the piano and a string quartet are still the main staples for these moments of reflection and wonderment, there are a lot of hidden layers of complexity in the mix that you won’t pick up the first time around with ease. Ô Lake ..read more

What does Gifts From Crows sound like? Dark neoclassical music, led by a century-old piano and an undercurrent of yearning. The review of Gifts From Crows – Etudes of the Crow Whilst an etude may mean a musical study or technique practice, in the latest album from talented composer Gifts From Crows, I feel like it is a study of visual art as well as a musical one. Richard Laurence, the man behind Gifts From Crows has approached his third album as a collaborative experience with Johanna Ronn. Ronn herself is an award-winning Swedish photographer whose work often has multiple ghostly portraits e ..read more

Elskavon (Chris Bartels) is approaching his 7th studio album slightly differently than usual. Instead of being an active composer with his musicians, he is moving towards a singer-songwriter stance, adding his voice into the mix. This led him to experiment with analogue tape effects, doubling and halving the speed, and adding distortions and layers. To me, it sounds like a mini composition inside the composition of the actual song itself. Elskavon has traditionally been a mixture of classic, electronic and ambient elements bathing in the cool summer night but this time around, it feels more of ..read more

Ô Lake is the stage name for composer Sylvain Texier who has been channelling his neoclassical piano muses since 2017. I very much enjoyed his score for ‘Gerry‘ last year as he manages to give neoclassical music a direct melodic hook like a pop song and still keep it heartfelt and emotional. Keeping things felt is name of the game for Ô Lake’s forthcoming album ‘Still’ which is due for release in March 2023. The felt piano will be a mainstay but only part of the album’s make-up. Joining Ô Lake will be a 40-musician string orchestra and electronic beats as this new album aims to expand the trad ..read more

What does Gifts From Crows sound like? Neoclassical compositions – currently paired with ethereal photography. The review of Gifts From Crows – Fragments of Light In the run-up to Gift From Crows’ new album ‘Etudes of the Crow’, the neoclassical composer has gone for an interesting approach to his singles. For each one he is releasing an EP of alternative versions of the track so whether it’s the full orchestral version, piano solo or alternative ambient versions you are looking for, there’s something for every mood on each release. ‘Fragments of Light’ is a sombre and delicately balanced haun ..read more

What does Gaspar Claus sound like? Usually a more traditional neoclassical cellist, this is Gaspar Claus getting experimental. The review of Gaspar Claus – 2359 The cello is an instrument that has a wide variety of expressions and it is increasingly being used in more percussive and synthetic ways. On French cellist Gaspar Claus’ album “Tancade”, he chopped up pizzicato cello plucks into a Ferris Wheel of notes on fire with the track “2359”. This is the basis for a follow-up EP that allows Claus to explore his more experimental side to great effect with “2359” getting its own EP. Gaspar Claus ..read more