“My Secret Heart: Romantic Meditations for Ambient Piano (20th Anniversary Expanded Edition)” by Michael Whalen
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
I love it when someone gets to the root. What is at the root musically for two-time Emmy® Award-winning composer, Michael Whalen, I believe, is romantic piano pieces. This is something, in my opinion, that he does best and masterfully so.
In this, the 20th anniversary year, Whalen now releases his new album, “My Secret Heart” (expanded edition), through Universal Music Enterprises. The album includes his entire acclaimed 2005 album, “My Secret Heart,” as a remastered re-release as well as the exciting addition of 8 fresh new tracks.
This enchanting piano-based album blends luxurious melodies with soft ethereal soundscapes, creating a dreamlike world filled with moments of both introspection and passion. A timeless treasure for lovers of ambient and contemporary instrumental music, the album is a testament to Whalen’s extraordinary ability to continue to craft deeply soulful and extraordinarily romantic works. And with hundreds of millions of sales and streams to his credit, the fans wholeheartedly agree.
For those that do not know, this is a really hard thing to do – a re-release of one of your classic albums that’s been streamed millions of times, along with new tracks – and it’s a really hard thing to do well. What we played and composed 25 years ago is not necessarily going to have even remotely matching energy to what we compose and play in the present day. But Michael succeeds. The album is a seamless, flawless testament to Whalen’s great musical diversity and talent.
This new 18-track album opens with one of my favorites, “I have Loved You For A Thousand Lifetimes.” The song is essentially a timeless love letter spanning eras, dimensions, and even eternity. Soft, gentle, poignant, and straightforward, the song evokes feelings of deep connection. The video will actually give you chills with its glowing candlelight and romantic ambiance, and there is also a new 2025 video version as well with re-mastered audio.
However, the real gem is the new 2025 version of the song which we find on the album as track 11. More musically sophisticated, yet just as straightforward and tender, and brimming with heart, this is simply gorgeous. If you get nothing else from this album, this should be it. However, I suspect you will want to get the whole thing which is available as a limited-edition physical CD as well as available on all digital platforms for downloads/streaming.
Another favorite from the original songs on the album is “Your Eyes in the Candlelight.” Leisurely and alluring, this is long, slow, and delicious seduction. “Moonglow” is tantalizing and dreamy. Also languid and sensual, the piano is soft and idyllic, leading us along deeper into the pure romance.
“The Northern Lights” is simply magical. Twinkling and shimmering, we can see these splendorous lights in our mind’s eye. And that is exactly what is supposed to happen with masterful aural soundscapes. This is just magnificent.
Everyone remembers lost love or the loves we left behind. “When We Loved” has that quietly nostalgic, contemplative quality that takes us back to the past. Wistfully wonderful.
This “must have” album for the hopeless romantic in anyone closes out with the gently beckoning “Whispers.” This is ambient, quiet, and speaks ever so softly to the soul. It’s a great close to another absolutely great album from Michael Whalen, who has definitely gotten to both the root and the heart of the matter.
Get it here: https://tr.ee/-p9Neuf8Kx
Official artist website: https://www.michaelwhalen.com/
