Multi-instrumentalist Mike Horn unveils his latest release, East Coast Cosmic Dreamscaper (WarHen Records), under his Seawind of Battery musical moniker. In the six stunning instrumental tracks that comprise this new release, Mike along with musician Jarrod Annis, who contributes lap steel to several tracks, leads the listener on a mesmerizing and breathtaking journey into cosmic country, a genre that blends traditional country with ambient and psychedelic influences.
Following the success of the project's 2022 debut album, Clockwatching, Seawind of Battery’s core sound on East Coast Cosmic Dreamscaper stays true to the spacey, otherworldly signature vibe created throughout the tracks on its predecessor. Impressive and hypnotic pedal effects elevate gorgeous riffs and melodies to another level, along with well-placed beats on several tracks, giving them a burst of upbeat energy.
Opening track "Blood Moon" conjures up visualizations of a red, ruddy brown moonrise. Beyond its ambient intro, it is the gentle, steady acoustic strumming and echoing pedal delay that sets the pace of this beautiful opening track, embellished with touches of swirling, celestial sounds.
As we transition from "Blood Moon" (a moon once thought of as a sign of the end times) to "New Moon" (one that symbolizes fresh starts and new beginnings), it is this second track that feels like it embodies the essence of East Coast Cosmic Dreamscaper, with a subtle, energized shift in sound. Clocking in at eight minutes, this outstanding track firmly launches the album off the ground.
Lush, dreamy ambient guitar arrangements abound in "Supernatural," while "Maze of Roses" emanates a sort of cosmic bluegrass feel that builds warm, atmospheric fingerstyle arrangements over the track's gently strummed acoustic guitar foundation.
The cosmic journey continues with the upbeat, toe-tapping "Dreamscaper," which features some ear-catching Western-influenced guitar riffs, before transitioning to a psychedelic, Beatles-like vibe (think "Tomorrow Never Knows.")
Closing track "Stay," what I call the 'savasana' of East Coast Cosmic Dreamscaper, leads the listener deeper into the cosmos with its warm and muted, rippling fingerstyle arrangements.
Fans of ambient, psychedelic, or cosmic country and artists such as Michael Brook, Hermanos Gutiérrez, and Khruangbin will be drawn to the captivating sounds of Seawind of Battery.
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