Andy Aquarius’s new release Forest Grimoire consists of eight improvised harp tracks played and recorded in the forest and including gentle wind and a lot of beautiful bird song. A grimoire is an ancient textbook with information on creating magical objects, performing spells, charms, and divination, and invoking supernatural entities. But as this is a forest grimoire the magic is being cast over the myriad of nature deities out in the woods from Ala (Igno) to Zemes Mate (Latvia). You may also roll your eyes at the word improvised but fear not, Andy Aquarius improvising is leagues ahead of most people’s rehearsed.
The majority of the tracks unfold on rolling notes and glissando runs across the strings but the opening track ‘Ein Vogellin’ (‘a bird line’) feels like Aquarius testing out the harp against the forest sounds; letting the pauses act as a call and response with the bird song. Each track offers a slightly different mood, some, like ‘Ein Vogellin’ draw on the medieval for inspiration while others like ‘Sylvarum Sylva’ (‘a forest of woods’) and ‘I Allen Tymae’ skip and bounce likes birds on branches. In the case of ‘Reverdie’ (a word meaning ‘the arrival of spring’) and ‘Draumkvedet’ (‘the dream verse’) there is the most beautiful cascading waterfall of notes, and ‘Reverdie’ stood out for me due to the most exquisite topline melody that runs through it.
In a world of fast internet, fast fashion and fast food delivery it’s refreshing to have something that is unhurried and revels in the pauses; letting the music breathe and the forest sounds become woven into the fabric of each track. This is music that could not only soothe the savage beast but could lower the blood pressure of any rush hour journey. Forest Grimoire creates a sense of tranquillity that lasts long after the final string has stopped vibrating. Move over Spotify’s ‘piano chill’ and make room for Andy Aquarius and his ‘Halcyon Harp’ collection.
Released through the breath:sun:bone:blood label
Andy Aquarius socials: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Although not part of this album, you can see Andy Aquarius below playing a Celtic harp, live from 2023.
Review by Paul F Cook
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