 | Album Title: The Stone |
| Record Label: TENSHI RECORDS | |
| Catalog No.: TENS-0005 | |
| Release Date: January 14, 2019 | |
| Purchase: Buy at Amazon Japan |
Overview
The Stone, released under TENSHI RECORDS, is an album composed by Supersweep (no individual credits given) aimed at providing more relaxing, healing-style music and isn’t necessarily catered to the video game music community. Themed around the concept of crystals, it provides an interesting soundscape that does differ quite a bit from the typical Supersweep sound. How does this experiment turn out?
Body
The album opens up with “Iolite,” a track combining synthesizer tones, both cold and warm, to create an ambient and atmospheric tune that sets the stage for the relaxing music to come. “Crack quartz” features warm keyboard passages and chimes and is a bit more melodic in approach. “Apophyllite” features an ascending synth sound amidst its crystalline synths and atmosphere, while “Lemrianseed” is a chill tune with synth accompaniment, modified vocal samples, and takes on a spiritual/peaceful vibe as it progresses. “Selenite,” on the other hand, blends waves crashing with chimes and warm synths, although the droning accompaniment does get a bit bland after a while.
“Kunzite” is a more synth-forward tune blending ambient synths with acoustic guitar to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, but one with a futuristic sound, while “Rhodonite” is ambient and warm with breeze sound effects. “Desert roses” is perhaps the standout of the album, featuring a beautiful melody, keyboard, chiptune sounds, all supporting a dreamy and ethereal soundscape. I’d love to see more like this in future releases. “Charoite” blends chimes and ethereal synths to create a peaceful sound, but is largely indistinguishable. Lastly, “Celestite” brings acoustic guitar, piano, ethereal synths, and chimes to a warm, welcoming sound.
Summary
In the end, The Stone is certainly not going to be for everyone, especially those who prefer more active music. However, the soundscapes provided generally succeed in creating a peaceful, relaxing, and often meditative environment and are more on par with luana in terms of success as opposed to Nebula.
