Dreaming Man Passing Through

An album authentically contemplative, musically eclectic, nostalgic but beautifully original – something rare and wonderful these days. Dreaming Man has captured a collection of moments that engage and enthral, with the superb album Passing Through.

We’re introduced to an entire minute of instrumental expression, a neo-classical ambient calm of emotional origins, with the live weight of the piano keys adding a clear sense of musicianship and real-time playing. Soon enough, however, Dreaming Man presents a wealth of lyrical images, and a distantly mixed, reverb-drenched vocal, to veer us more towards the likes of John Lennon than anything purely instrumental.

It’s rare to witness such a musically vibrant and full composition backed up by a worthy and compelling lyrical journey. The World Is On Myself is a sensational opening track, an epic early highlight that raises the bar well for the listening experience to follow.

Eclecticism is a clear thread of Passing Through, evident from the move into the bass-led indie groove and female vocals of We Are Losing It. Here a more traditional set-up and melodic progression keeps things simple and snappy, but the production maintains its immersive prowess, and the writing intrigues and impresses as ever. The eighties influence, the synths, bring out another side of the Dreaming Man aura.

We move further into the project’s embrace and find that the now familiar and dreamy pop-rock arrangement of Passing Through, the title-track, brings out a new delicacy and smoothness in that original vocal line. The song has a personal lyrical implication, but delivers it in a way that feels mildly Pink Floyd inspired. Ambient and intimate yet vast and imaginative – a unique combination of elements, from a song that increases its euphoric brightness consistently.

Eight tracks make up the Passing Through album, an alternative rock project that feels a little like a greatest hits compilation from an underground gem. Ethereal layers, catchy grooves, provocative and thoughtful lyrics, blissful vocals and soulful guitar solos – it’s a world of audio escapism that seems fresh and impactful as it rains down at volume, and with each re-listen, some new quality resounds.

Picking up the pace and psychedelic smoothness is the looping hypnotic intrigue of Don’t Stop, Don’t Look Back – a song that rightfully creates a sense of quickly escaping from a past that’s weighed heavy for too long. Versatility reigns, the artistry and ideas guide the way, and despite its apparent lyrical simplicity, there’s brilliance in the build up and intoxicating set-up of this mid-album track.

Easy folk rock and pop stand tall for the unexpectedly anthemic My Heroes, a welcomed dose of lightness with another great guitar solo connecting two halves. Then the stark contrast of an acoustic piano and guitar ballad soothes the mood, for a boldly reflective It’s Too Late.

One of the many wonders of this project’s opening track was indeed its underlying piano melody and the soft weight of those keys, the surrounding vintage crackle. The Reprise version at the penultimate moment lets that quality breathe deeply, and presents a moment of striking stillness and consideration as a deeply moving instrumental.

Wrapping things up is the classic piano rhythm and self-exploring lyrics of All Alone Here – a song that feels both genuinely personal and broadly relatable. The track explodes into a rock anthem for one last masterful use of juxtaposition, but maintains its reverb-laden warmth and dreamy, shoegaze-esque production as the energy rises and falls. Great songwriting, snappy again but still alternative and interesting. One last depiction of an artist undeterred by industry expectation, and instead driven by talent, purpose, and a clear love for the unrivalled escapism of music.

Passing Through is a humble yet rather phenomenal listen, and one that lets you delve in repeatedly without it growing tiresome. A definite recommend for the summer of 2024.

Download or stream Passing Through. Find Dreaming Man on Instagram.