ambient / electronic
Owann is worried. State of Mind is the third release of Owann (Johan De Paepe), expressing his vexations about the visible climate changes the Earth already faces today. As a mountaineer and photographer for several decades he was able to witness the shrinking of the Alps glaciers with his own eyes. These observations and other issues (caused by humanity) resulting this fickle climate, became the inspiration for this album.
On his previous CD, Eternal Return, this Belgian electronic artist made a very philosophical inspired recording. Eternal Return was to our opinion one of the best Belgian releases of electronic ambient music in 2016. We were at first a little skeptical about State of Mind, because of the sensitive topic and the high quality of his previous production.
But no the less, State of Mind is a journey in thought and humility to honor our planet, holding eight pieces with affections that need to be heard. The ambient waves are expressively loaded with deep emotional sound effects. Owann starts with sad vibes on the first track The Time Is Now. The listener is instantly aware about the state of Owann’s mind. The tangible tensions of awareness emerge like dark clouds suffocating our only home in this vast universe. A slow piano guide us through the colorful soundscapes of A Sacred Place carrying deep melancholic tunes. The music speaks to the mind with drifting sounds of despair and hope.
Varanasi is filled with mixed emotions and voices producing an ethnic atmosphere. This track was composed and performed together with the British ambient guitar player Cousin Silas. Varanasi represents human life and a call for action to make sure these mumbling voices of humanity won’t fade away in a possible critical future. The album ends with The Blue Planet, a stunning ambient ode to Earth, floating on bewitching soundscapes and Berlin School sequences. State of Mind is an overwhelming emotional and philosophical release that grows with every listening trip. Our state of mind after this journey: silently thinking.
Patsker
On his previous CD, Eternal Return, this Belgian electronic artist made a very philosophical inspired recording. Eternal Return was to our opinion one of the best Belgian releases of electronic ambient music in 2016. We were at first a little skeptical about State of Mind, because of the sensitive topic and the high quality of his previous production.
But no the less, State of Mind is a journey in thought and humility to honor our planet, holding eight pieces with affections that need to be heard. The ambient waves are expressively loaded with deep emotional sound effects. Owann starts with sad vibes on the first track The Time Is Now. The listener is instantly aware about the state of Owann’s mind. The tangible tensions of awareness emerge like dark clouds suffocating our only home in this vast universe. A slow piano guide us through the colorful soundscapes of A Sacred Place carrying deep melancholic tunes. The music speaks to the mind with drifting sounds of despair and hope.
Varanasi is filled with mixed emotions and voices producing an ethnic atmosphere. This track was composed and performed together with the British ambient guitar player Cousin Silas. Varanasi represents human life and a call for action to make sure these mumbling voices of humanity won’t fade away in a possible critical future. The album ends with The Blue Planet, a stunning ambient ode to Earth, floating on bewitching soundscapes and Berlin School sequences. State of Mind is an overwhelming emotional and philosophical release that grows with every listening trip. Our state of mind after this journey: silently thinking.
Patsker
