Irish composer and producer Gavin Murphy, known for his contributions to releases from David Gray, Van Morison, and plenty more, presents this summer a deeply introspective instrumental project of his own.
A Sonic Journey to Serenity is a thoughtful and ambient album, piano-led amidst an atmospheric, nostalgic crackle of vintage, vinyl-like qualities, introduced by the emotional tones of Mother’s Theme, and proceeded by the more haunting rise and fall of a compelling, enchanting, and unmissable Kaleidoscope.
The style is familiar, but the weight of the keys, the softness of the strings, and the unity between instruments, all plays an important role in letting the soulful integrity of the music pierce through the airwaves with heartfelt depth and expressive realism. The compositions are personal, but you can make them your own – attach your own memories and feelings, and appreciate the nuance, the artistic angle, the changing stages of each unique composition, along the way.
Fifteen works make up A Sonic Journey to Serenity, perhaps one of the most appropriately titled albums to release this season, and each one feels well-grounded amidst the style, but also crafted of its own clear intention, story, and sentiment. Consider the springtime-esque brightness of Moment, or the epic intensity of Twilight – and later, the joyful bounce and character of Seven Years.
There’s plenty to unpack, even more to simply let fill the room and embrace you, and the recording quality meets with the contemplative and skilful playing in a way that feels perfectly original.
Gavin Murphy delivers an audio experience both refreshingly human and impressively meaningful, and this project is inspiring, calming, provocative, and a dream to let rain down around you.
Pre-save A Sonic Journey to Serenity. Find Gavin Murphy on Instagram & X.
