“SLOW MOTION” by Thierry David
Album Review by Dyan Garris for New Age CD, Zone Music Reporter (ZMR), and “Spirit Seeker Magazine”
There’s probably no better time to slow down, regroup, recollect ourselves, and rejuvenate. French composer and musician, Thierry David, has just the ticket to that utopia. His new album, “Slow Motion,” is 7 tracks, 51 minutes of ultra-relaxation.
Thierry has been multiple award-nominated and well-recognized in the genre of New Age, Lounge, Electronica, Ambient, and relaxation music.
On “Slow Motion,” he is joined by Steve Shehan on percussion. The music on the album is flowing and evolving, and creates an intimate, peaceful, and serene atmosphere all through. There’s a soothing, sensual, hypnotic quality to all the pieces. Nothing jarring. Just peace, deep peace.
The album opens with the just over 5-minute “Convolution.” A convolution is “a mathematical way of combining two signals to form a third signal.” A mesmerizing way to draw us into the song and the rest of the album, this is engaging, enjoyable, and meditative.
Following is the long and languid, “Wild Hope.” Almost 9-1/2 minutes of pure tranquility, this has a lovely, transportive, ethereal quality. The percussion is excellent, as is the rest of it. I love the soft horns that float in around 2:40. This is a favorite on the album, and absolutely one for the playlist. Love it.
The title track puts us into an even deeper state of gentle euphoria. Six minutes later, we’re still there. This is truly dreamy and infinitely calming. “Diamond Drops” is as smooth as silk, with a bit of a relaxing “lounge” vibe, helping us release all tensions. The percussion in “Divine Spark,” is wonderful, as is the production. Here we have those wonderfully peaceful horns again that ethereally float in and out and around the composition. A rhythmic beat and a sensuous feel bring us effortlessly into a whole other world.
“Dazzling Blue” is another long piece at just over 8-1/2 minutes. This is thoroughly enchanting, melodic, and hypnotic – like a gentle turquoise sea or infinite blue sky – magnetizing us into a complete state of surrender. This is definitely another one for the playlist, although I suspect you’ll want to get the whole album.
The album closes out with “Weightless Keys.” Again, we have that superb percussion intertwining expertly with the keyboard melody. The gentle, velvety touches in this album, and particularly in this song, remind me a bit of the principle of “unweighting” in downhill skiing. It’s a magical feeling. Gorgeous, truly gorgeous. And by album’s end we do, indeed, feel so much lighter. Yes, get the whole thing. Beautifully done.
Available digitally on all digital platforms and Bandcamp on March 15, 2021.
Official artist website: http://www.thierrydavidmusic.com/
