New Age/Chill Instrumental Review: 7and5-Themes For A Grey Day

Release Date: September 30, 2014

Label: Nix Music

Website

John Nixon A.K.A. 7and5 and his new Themes For A Grey Day CD is ten tracks of new age instrumental chill. It could be a soundtrack to a film or your life, the choice is yours.

The name came from the fact that all musical notes can be expressed within an octave on a piano as 7 white keys and 5 black keys. Clever yet simple and direct, I like that explanation.

When you think about the title of the album it makes you wonder what kind of listening experience you are about have. The “grey” area as it is referred to in common everyday life is a neutral space, the unknown; it’s neither negative nor positive. This is music we are talking about here so where is the difference and how does the term apply?

As we dive into this aural journey of sound and color “Cloudburst” invites you into a menagerie of sounds and textures. It is uplifting and refreshing as cool rain drops hitting your face on a steamy hot July afternoon. For my senses it was a pleasure and I heard and felt no “grey” areas. This is a solid opener and a terrific way to kick off the album. The next track “Nightfall” starts off slower and more introspective before reaching an apex of sound with keyboards. It is filled with anticipation and the wonder of nature’s gifts.

I can see how the artist is able to implement all the instruments and sounds at his disposal to create something that matches up well with the title of the track. With instrumentals it is difficult to do that however 7and5 has his pulse on the human condition and knows how to manipulate sounds to make everything work together beautifully. I am not one that can stay focused on chill music for too long; I get bored easily and lose interest after a fashion. This did not happen to me listening to Themes For A Grey Day. The reason is that there is the right combination of new age and chill mixed together to make one complete sound that satisfies and intrigues you.

“Frozen” is as prolific as the title. It is a “what you see is what you get” kind of term. Picture a river flowing underneath the frozen ice ever so slow then as you look closer it starts to move faster. That is the best way to describe how this track unfolds. I really enjoy how new age artists take the essence of nature and our surroundings and turn it into beautiful sounds that create images within the Third Eye Chakra.

“Passing Storms” keeps up the momentum and spirit of this recording going. This could relate to what nature brings us or certain life situations and challenges. The passing storm eventually leaves and the sunshine comes back if we have a positive outlook on life. 

Instrumental music holds so much within for one individual listener to interpret and that is a blessing for those who have an open heart and mind. The instruments are healers and the one that administers the sounds is like your own personal shaman. Themes For A Grey Day is a relaxing and exhilarating experience all at once. This is a journey you will want to take again and again.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Cloudburst, Nightfall, Passing Storms

Tracks: 
01.Cloudburst
02.Nightfall
03.13 Days
04. Frozen
05.Passing Storms
06.November
07.No Moon, Fallen Stars
08.The Pulse of Rain
09.Flow
10.Clear
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

September 26, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews