Heinali: Air

Of all the reasons why music is such an invaluable and cherished form, its ability to capture our deepest, most elusive emotions may be the biggest. It's fascinating how a series of notes, aided by other timbres, can touch upon feelings that could never be expressed in any other way. On his newest release, Air, Heinali does this wonderfully. Although it's minimalistic, repetitious, and a bit slow, the record is still a masterfully arranged, poignant representation of sadness, loss, and the like.

Heinali is the pseudonym of Ukrainian composer Oleg Shpudeiko, who is completely self-taught. He began recording a decade ago. Always atmospheric and impressionistic, his music has been released on several labels, and he's collaborated with many artists, including Anton Baibakov, Maria Navrotskaya, Orchestra Eclettica e Sincretista, and Matt Finney. In addition, he's written music for several poetry and art exhibitions. With Air, he implements grand sentiments into delicate auditory tapestries which move as seamlessly and strongly as the wind.

Every piece on Air is remarkable in its simplicity and profundity. Opening track "Leaves" begins with just piano notes, and it's a perfect example of the power of musical intervals; each distance, be it a major third or a perfect fifth or a minor seventh, conveys a different feeling, and Heinali understands this completely. Eventually, strings come in too and heighten the intensity, and each moment recalls every instance of regret and longing that we've ever felt. In a way, it's like a gentler version of NIN's Ghosts I-IV.

This pattern is basically the blueprint for the entire collection; although some elements, like the aggression in "Seagull" or the nostalgic bells of "Bells," offer a bit of diversity, Air feels like one long piece that doesn't really change. Fortunately, while there may not be much in terms of musical complexity, diversity, or varied instrumentation, its brilliance lies in its authority to get inside your heart and suspend you in awe. If ever there was a soundtrack ideal for looking at old photos and thinking about people and places you miss, this is it.

Track Listing
1. Leaves
2. Seagull
3. Scarf
4. Air
5. October
6. Bells

Added: June 25th 2012
Reviewer: Jordan Blum
Score:
Related Link: More Information
Hits: 1967
Language: english

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