Sound Vagabond delivers a story of discovery in a downtempo envelope.
The latest tracks by Eric Hilton lay down a consistent bassline to set his audience grooving through this exploration of genre. While his beats never fail to impress, Hilton has once again raised the bar with Sound Vagabond. Each track uses a different flavor of sounds mixed with classic inspirations, feeling like a fresh adventure in a familiar world.
All music is a journey of some form, but rarely is that sentiment so literal. Hilton uses decades of experience to merge past influences into one thematic vision. Unsatisfied with a blasé musical slideshow, he chose to spin a narrative of doubt, discovery and growth. Sound Vagabond is a personal record of what he has learned as an artist, from the beginning to current day, in the shape of his beloved medium.
“Endless Affair” opens the album with a haunting feel of desire. Ghostly vocals and a low-energy refrain weave the thought of missed opportunities into the melody. It almost begs the question, “What would you change?” This pairs brilliantly with its follow-up. Reminiscent of low-key ’80s Hip-Hop, “Glass Visage” is a shot of confidence strutting down the street. An energized beat and curious pop impressions encourage a refined optimism. Together, these songs establish the album as a story of lessons learned and an excitement for every discovery.
Romance is abound in “Midnight Milan.” An even-tempered bass plays by candlelight. The swell of a harp is accompanied by intimate sighs. The pair dance together as the song begins. For a time, they are alone. But their tryst progresses, a light-hearted synth joins them, and the smell of red wine wafts through the air. This is a serene love. Such a passionate affair should not be observed for long. The music slowly fades away, as if the listener is an unseen voyeur sneaking off into the night.
Instruments from around the globe come together to produce a sonic celebration in “Poppy Fields.” Hilton travels from Cuba with a bongo backtrack, to Europe with a catchy organ hook, then India with a beautiful sitar bridge. If Sound Vagabond is a journey, then “Poppy Fields” is the destination. It is the culmination of themes established in “Endless Affair” and “Glass Visage” that stands as a climax before winding down with the album’s final two tracks.
Hilton carves a path through genre and calls his audience to join him. Each step, each song, becomes a part of them. Sound Vagabond is an invitation to learn a little more from life. It challenges the listener to take what they already know and make something new — to never stop growing, learning and living.
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