Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Seven Crows - Secrets of Navigation

10/9/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Seven Crows

Secrets of Navigation
​self-released; 2020

4.3 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Seven Crows is the project of Los Angeles-based violinist and producer Christopher Murphy. Murphy recently released Secrets of Navigation which is an album that contains a lot of texture, atmosphere and more but at the heart of the music seems to be the orchestral strings. This music sounds in a similar vein to acts like Silver Mt. Zion or Godspeed You! Black Emperor to my ears. It’s haunting with darker colors of blacks, browns and grays. I would say this music is perhaps a little more ambient than both those aforementioned artists. Percussion is not a huge factor to the music but the atmosphere certainly is and is constantly evolving through the songs. The songs are also very hypnotic and create this sense of space and mood.

Take for instance the opener “Chamoru” which creates a loose sense of apprehension and seems like it works out in a number of movies from Charlie Kaufman. That is just a taste because the wonderful “Returning” is hopeful, pensive and comforting. I got a similar feeling that reminded me of when I listen to Sigur Rós.

“Secrets Of Navigation” is much more cerebral and meditative. This song sort of goes past the normal polarity of happiness and sadness. There is meditative zen like quality that allows you to just observe and notice the sounds which are appearing.

“Last Letter From Orson Welles” however could be the music for a noir film. I was picturing rain in a depressing city, alleyways and the archetype of the detective who is sitting at the ’50s style diner with a killer still on the loose. “Two Swords” floats around and we are introduced to some fuzz and distortion.

We get some movement on “Nightsong.” The song could be thought of as a build that never finds a peak or a meditative landscape to allow your soul to be playful. If you listen past the first minute the latter should start to emerge. We return to more haunting textures to tickle your spine on “Black Ash.” The closer “Ancient Ways” is more ethereal, serene and cosmic.

​This release is one of my personal favorites this year. Instrumental music can have so much depth and I would argue sometimes it can pack much more meaning that you can acquire through words, sentences and language. This is an album that touches on the ineffable about things we feel but we don’t quite know how to say.
Become A Fan

official website
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact