Nebula

by The Haiku Project

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With the release of Nebula The Haiku Project has now released 3 albums on the Real Music label. Nebula is an intriguing album and especially so with the delicate vocals that are provided by Sara Grabow who makes this album quite memorable. Sara Grabow as a singer has released 4 albums of her own that can easily be found on Spotify two of which are performed in English and 2 in Danish. Sara also hails from Denmark as does Henrik Hytteballe aka The Haiku Project.  Her vocals provide an ethereal aura to the songs that she is featured on which allows the compositions to move in new and interesting directions.

Nebula has found that perfect balance between voice and music that allows both to reach their full potential without detracting from one another. Nebula features 10 compositions 6 of which feature Sara Grabow’s voice as a major component of the arrangement and yet I still find the music refreshing and listenable even if left on repeat for an extended period of time. As a long time reviewer of instrumental and ambient music I am always doubtful as to how successful a pairing of vocals and instrumental music will be so that when a listener walks away from the experience they won’t be thinking how great the instruments were or how beautiful the voice was but how marvelous the compositions were as they became one in the performance.  That is the difficult task that Henrik and Sara tackled with the creation of Nebula and let me congratulate them on crafting an album that is filled with emotionally rich music that touches the listener from the very first song to the last.

From Henrik’s splendid piano work to Sara’s soft and delicate vocals there is nothing not to love about Nebula. It is very hard to pick a song to say that it is my favorite but I found Glow to be a song that I can listen to over and over again. With a gentle beat that keeps the song moving added to Henrik’s moving piano work and Sara’s perfect vocals there is nothing not to like about it. And even though Glow is a sonic delight the album is filled with songs that I feel are just as good. The two opening tracks of the album Nebula and Breeze alert the listener right from the beginning that they are in for a compelling musical journey that will leave them wanting more when the journey is over.

Henrik has always valued nature and protecting that which is a part of us so it is only natural that his music would move and breathe with those kinds of values in mind. The titles of the compositions tell you where the journey will lead with songs like Creation, Glow, Earth, Water, Rain, Wind and Breeze. When you listen to Nebula you are hearing the passion that Henrik has for valuing nature and standing against those who would carelessly destroy that which also is part of what keeps us alive as well. The music of Nebula enthralls the listener and communicates this message through compositions that evokes the majesty of the earth we live on and the air that is the breath of our lives and the water that is a part of who we are as human beings. Henrik has woven all of those emotions and more into the songs of Nebula and along with Sara Grabow’s voice have intertwined a musical tapestry that will leave the listener appreciating the natural world that surrounds us even more.

The music of Nebula is deeply poignant and revels in its ability to touch the listener’s soul and allow them to enter in to the visions of nature that Henrik and Sara share through this album. Needless to say the results are very impressive. The technical aspects of this recording are impeccable and the sound quality is first rate throughout. If you are not careful this music will wend its way into your spirit and remain a part of you long after you have left your home and started your day. Henrik and Sara have revealed their hearts in this music and you, the lucky listener, get a front row seat via your stereo to that revelation. Definitely deserves a place in your music collection. Highly recommended by Ambient Visions.

Reviewed by Ambient Visions