Release Date: July 31, 2025
Label: Independent
Website
Like Masako, I find solace in the North. The distinct seasons,
the absence of relentless heat, and the region's unique beauty resonate with me
on a personal level.
"Mamabear Dreams" begins things. The piano sings its
song. And it is warm, and a feeling of joy comes across through the keys. The
rhythm and tempo are just right. As her fingers glide across the keys, I feel
closer to nature as I look at the beautiful artwork on the album cover.
"One by One" starts slower and more methodically than
the previous track, as if it has another purpose to convey through the music.
The keys echo and reverberate as layers of synth are added for texture. Taking
each task one by one or multitasking are two different things. This is what the
artist wanted to communicate through her music.
"Our Bluebird Day" made me think of birds, of course,
and how I love to watch them. I get songs about birds in these
instrumental albums, and get the feeling that there are a lot of people who feel
the same as I do. It starts with a slower pace, then picks up as you imagine
the bluebird taking flight. It is the longest track at 5:37 and gorgeous. The
cello is added for accompaniment, and then a flute. After losing our
16-year-old toy poodle just a few days ago, it doesn't take much to trigger my
sadness. And I was feeling it with this song. Music is the universal healer, so
I will continue to listen as the emotional pain of loss can be overwhelming.
"But It is Life" makes me think about how life
unfolds, encompassing joy, sadness, heartbreak, elation, and all kinds of
feelings and phases that one can experience during life. I feel it all and will
continue to do so; it means I am alive. There is a beautiful acoustic guitar
that complements the piano, and the blend is sublime. Then, more elements come
into play, the flugelhorn rings out in its elegance and gracefulness. The way
everything comes together in this sounds so beautiful, with some hints of jazz
around the edges and wedged in between. It's a blend of instrumental new age
and jazz, all rolled into one package—the quiet storm.
"Love Beyond" is a title that made me think more about
how much I loved my little friend and how much I miss him, the waves of sadness
I cannot control. My love goes beyond any explanation for him. The
unconditional love he had for me. Even in pain and dying, he found it in
himself to lick my hand to say once again I love you. This is quite beautiful,
with the piano, acoustic guitar, and flugelhorn coming together to evoke such a
sense.
Instrumental music is a personal experience, and it doesn't get
any closer to home than that.
"Stairs in the Sky" starts with a nicely paced piano,
and the cello arrives with its longing call. The cello has a definite sadness
about it; however, this time it sounded more optimistic and uplifting, carrying
you up those stars in the sky. It sounded like their own little concerto as the
keys played off the resonance of the cello's strings. Thoughts of the natural
beauty all around us, which we can enjoy and appreciate, came to mind.
"My Old Abbey" begins with a measured tempo, which to
me evokes a thoughtfulness that resonates throughout the music. The endearing
melody offers insight into a fondness of the heart related to something of
significance to the artist. Towards the end, the tempo shifts to higher places
then back down to close it out.
"Shape of the Clouds" has you looking above again in
wonder at the magnificence of Mother Earth and all her splendor. The piano is
soft and invites you to lie down in the grass like you did when you were a
child, to see what you could see in the clouds in all the different shapes and
sizes. It was a magical time being a child doing those simple things, and it
brought me back. Now I wonder why I stopped doing those things that got me such
joy.
"October Children" is one I can relate to, having
lived in the Northeast. As the temperature starts to drop, the leaves reach
their peak in color, then begin to turn brown, preparing to fall to the ground,
awaiting the snow to cover them once again. The piano and cello combine to form
a beautiful composition that touched my heart and soul as the sound of children
playing came in and out. Some wordless vocals fit their way in to make it all
more real and happening right in the moment I was listening. The piano sounds
so rhythmic and wonderful.
"Dancing in the Snow" is a perfect segue as my thought
of leaves getting covered by the snow in the previous track. The transition of
nature taking its course is depicted in the piano's keys. As the keys dance,
you can picture yourself or another person dancing amongst the flakes with the
joy of freedom of movement all around. Celebrating the seasons is vital to us
Northerners, and we can find the beauty and gifts in every season. This was a
gentle reminder.
"Between the Two Trees" continues the reverence we
have for nature. The piano's resonance and pure beauty shine in this track.
Taking it slow to appreciate what is right in front of you, that's what I hear
in this music, whether it's between two trees or a simple walk down the street
and back. There is always something to enjoy and take in.
"Agiochook" pulls you out of nature into something
ethereal. Then a synth sounds more atmospheric and wandering as your thoughts
follow it, with other elements coming in, such as movements or a whooshing
sound. The word Agiochook means "The Place of the Great Spirit" for
Native Americans. The difference in this track compared to all the
others was significant and had to be due to the message being conveyed through
the music.
Dreaming Northern brought me to many different times and places in my life. And most recently, because of the loss, I was often moved to tears while listening to this music. I keep asking myself why this feels so painful, but I know it was just because I loved that little dog so much, I cannot imagine life without him. I had to share this and how I related to this music at this point in my journey. While the music was so beautiful, it felt like a conduit to my soul, and having that kind of connection and release was a powerful experience.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
July 18, 2025
Tracks:
01. Mamabear Dreams (03:36)
02. One by One (04:10)
03. Our Bluebird Day (05:37)
04. But It is Life (05:02)
05. Love Beyond (04:00)
06. Stairs in the Sky (04:50)
07. My Old Abbey (03:59)
08. Shape of the Clouds (03:04)
09. October Children (04:10)
10. Dancing in the Snow (04:12)
11. Between the Two Trees (02:03)
12. Agiochook (04:51)
