New Age Instrumental Review: Emilee Hartley- Illuminate

Release Date: December 8, 2017

Label: Independent

Website

Emilee Hartley started playing piano at 4 years old. She soon realized as time passed and her love for it, became an expression of thought, forms, and sounds. Not unlike a painter, a musician has an idea in their mind before music is created.

Emilee has a fascination with light and nature and its effects on the surrounding areas. She has some favorite places and decided to create music to match those fond memories and how each one was dominated by light.

That kind of observation is very astute and interesting at the same time. With all of those thoughts, feelings and different shades of light, Illuminate was born. So, the title befits the artist and the one who painted those images through the ivory keys is surely illuminated. To notice the distinctness of different shades of light in such a manner I find not only observant but spiritual and blessed to do so.

There is something about stand-alone piano music that allows more focus and serenity to take hold quicker than music that is more complex. That is not to say the complex music does not have great value. Simplicity rules with new age music, influenced by classical as a foundation to work from. Although there is plenty of classical music that is complex and intense that was created by some of the great composers. With that thought, you can hear that in music from people like Ms. Hartley. She and many others like her tip their caps to the composers of days gone by and shape and mold their compositions into something new and refreshing.

Emilee’s music is like “Raindrops on the Lake,” or in your mind if you will.  Either way, it is a song that goes to the heart and spirit that will engage you and keep you until it stops. That is a relational experience when you take a deep dive into the music. You first learn a bit about the artist and what compels them to make this music in the first place, then you have a jumping off point that you did not have before you started. It all makes perfect sense to me.

I have to say that not only do I love Emilee’s music, I think the choice of titles is perfectly matched with each track. Take “Serene Sailing” for instance, I imagined feeling a warm summer breeze hitting my face as I sailed along the waters. For me personally, anything to do with water - a brook, pond, lake or ocean, equal serenity and a oneness with mother nature. That was easy for me to assimilate those feelings and atmospheres while listening to that track. 

If you enjoy piano music, particularly solo instrumental, this is a gem of an album. Have a listen and let it Illuminate your life!

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

March 29, 2018

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Tracks: 
01. Raindrops on the Lake
02. Prelude to Dusk
03. Shimmers
04. The Unicorn (Enchanted Forest)
05. Lunae
06. Path of Shining Lights (Enchanted Forest)
07. The Abandoned Castle
08. Chasing Sunbeams
09. Morning Twilight
10. Amare
11. Serene Sailing
12. Turning of Time
13. A Night of Winter
14. Journey