“Fear Not the Water” by Kyle Preston is a collection of eight stories narrated through musical soundscapes. Each piece has a distinct character, creating a unique auditory journey for the listener.
The album feels like a journey through a meadow; the music possesses a certain lightness that can transport the audience away from this world.
The album opens with “Ocean Drifter,” an ambient piece devoid of beats. The music hovers above the ground, with a long, consonant melody line that avoids any abrupt shifts, creating a soft, soothing backdrop for the ears.
“Magnetic Shore” continues this gentle soundscape with its ascending arpeggios, evoking a sense of flight and weightlessness that gradually lifts the listener into a dream world.
The title track, “Fear Not the Water,” features a calm beat produced by soft piano chords and bass guitar. The minimalistic composition style, combined with a brilliant melody line, evokes a sense of exploration.
“Tide Pools” serves as a soundtrack for the sea—a majestic yet calm presence, with a sense of eternity at its core.
“The Pull of the Deep” has a drone-like sound, with deep and consistent bass tones that resonate throughout.
“Coral Castles” is another majestic piece, characterized by a feeling of perpetual ascent. The synths, with their slow melodic movements, create the sensation of calm, rolling waves in a grand ocean, reflecting its deep tranquility.
“Liquid Eclipse” features a piano arpeggio accompanied by a high-pitched melody, crafting a dreamy soundscape.
The album concludes with “Reborn as Art,” an ambient piece with a wave-like melody that ascends the scales slowly but steadily.
Experiencing the album from beginning to end is akin to watching the horizon from dusk till dawn—a serene and profound horizon, accompanied by the calming sound of the sea. As the music progresses, it culminates in the return of the sun and its ascent into the sky.
Kyle Preston has not imposed a specific storyline on the music; instead, he describes the album’s themes as “loss, exploration, and rebirth.” This journey is evident in the music, but how it unfolds is left to the listener’s imagination. You may find yourself deep in a meadow, beneath the ocean's surface, or sitting by a tranquil lake. The music offers you the freedom to choose your own scene and guides you through a deeply satisfying journey.
In the end, I encourage you to listen to this album as a whole, and perhaps pair it with Preston’s poetry photobook available on his Bandcamp page, to fully immerse yourself in the joy of his music.
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