Ed Carlsen, Words Review
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Ed Carlsen is a composer and producer from Sardinia, Italy. Carlsen is professionally trained as a guitarist, but eventually he translated his musical skills onto piano. By using his own compositions as the foundation in which to discover the instrument, he developed a unique and unconvential approach to the instrument. Carlsen’s compositional style blends elements from modern classical music, such as intimate piano and strings, with electronic rhythms and ambient soundscapes. Carlsen has created a collection of tunes for a new album titled Morning Hour. The nine compositions on the album are shapeshifting sounds rooted in real life experiences — the sense of place in distant locales, the confronting of anxieties, the loss of life, and ultimately, the redemptive choice in leaving the darkness behind for a new light. The album still contains plenty of piano, but also focuses on the guitar — his main instrument his whole life. It’s more upbeat, more textured with electronic elements yet sprinkled with complimentary organic elements too. Carlsen is releasing the first single from the album, “Words.”
Positives:
Interesting soundscapes that pushes the electronic and acoustic possibilities to create sounds that are emotive and entertaining.
Bottom Line:
“Words” contains various textures and colors. Carlsen produced, recorded, mixed and composed all the music on the date and it was mastered by Pierre Duchesne. Carlsen played: piano, guitar, synth, bass and programming. On the album, he also included the talents of the Dobry Ton string quartet, which consist of Dominik Frankiewicz (cello), Aleksander Frankiewicz (viola), Krzysztof Katana (violin) and Piotr Mitka (violin). “Words” unfolds in a relaxed manner, with the perfect combination of electronic instruments and acoustic instruments. Carlsen’s guitar work is atmospheric and centered around creating colors that evolve with the piece. The piano and keyboard sounds are balanced with programing and drums filling in the space nicely. The shape of the tune has a enjoyable arc and Carlsen is a composer of sounds that produce emotional colors. That’s the short of it!