Open Plains marks a powerful sophomore effort from pianist and organist Runa Viggen, charting a conceptual healing journey from trauma toward strength. Blending jazz fusion, classical, and touches of progressive rock, Viggen utilizes bookends like the immortal “Amaranth” and the resolute “Rubicon” to frame this memorable narrative. This Los Angeles-recorded album dazzles in its melodic range and thematic pull, transforming personal pain into a defiant depiction of survival.
“Amaranth” commences the album in stunning form, opening this audible journey of healing with vibrant piano work — infusing with jazzy rhythms for a very alive-feeling entrancement. It’s an aptly frolicking tonal display considering the track’s namesake, which Viggen notes has “he title of a mythical and never fading flower, a symbol of immortality.” The piano’s steady glow and the expressive rhythms combine seamlessly throughout, resembling a dance of life through its various twists and turns, hopefully all coming together in the end.
The opening track’s symbolic flower is a stellar starting point, especially when contrasted against the album’s closer. Per Viggen, finale “Rubicon” derives “from the phrase ‘crossing the Rubicon’ and means ‘passing a point of no return.'” She continues: “So, in between that I`m trying to tell a story of healing, and how music can transform pain and trauma to beauty and strength.” As such, “Rubicon” delights in its melodically blissful demeanor, optimistic and bright, and especially excelling via the expressive rock-ready drums around 03:30 and ensuing lush spaciousness.
The release’s bookends certainly enamor, and so do the tracks in between them. “Bury Me Standing” is amongst the highlights, building with a more subdued intrigue, compared to the aforementioned tracks’ effervescent allure. The solemn piano work and pitter-pattering percussion build between brighter emotion and nocturnal introspection across its eclectic trek, while the ensuing “Old Fields of War” delights as well with a soothing, understated jazzy piano-pop embrace. Open Plains is a melodic, inviting success from Runa Viggen that also succeeds in its harmonious conceptual direction.
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“Amaranth” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
