Weaving home-recorded neoclassical piano with post-rock inspiration, Where the World Can’t Find You is a moving instrumental album from Sheffield-based composer Christopher Hawkins. The record shifts seamlessly from moody, raindrop-set chords to jazz-tinged grooves, painting a stark portrait of secluded urban sanctuaries.
“Dancing with a Shadow” opens with a ghostly intrigue, shifting from distant-sounding piano ethereality into a deeper tonal immersion that balances brief, bright entrancement with moody gorgeousness. The dichotomies between the twinkling piano notes and subdued moroseness make for an affectingly memorable listening experience. The fantastic “Mix” comes next, shifting from the opener’s minimalist melancholy to a more grooving, lounge-friendly vibe. Rainy-day keys move into a jazzy percussive steadiness, invoking late city nights through its glistening textures and the seamless introduction of various elements, from blaring synth to soulful, wordless vocal invigoration.
Also delighting, “New Day” showcases Hawkins’ beautiful keyboard work, here echoing an elegant classical-minded flow. The ensuing title track then embraces an ominous atmospheric disposition, where clanging piano and foreboding melodic movement combine for a chillingly delectable sound. “Night Forest” follows that up with a return to tranquility, as plucky piano and ethereal, haunting vocal harmonies linger alongside. Abundant in striking songwriting and elegant piano work, Where the World Can’t Find You is a can’t-miss album from Christopher Hawkins.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
