A sonic introspective journey.
Ben Lukas Boysen’s Alta Ripa is a masterful exploration of musical storytelling. The album’s eight tracks weave electronic innovation with orchestral nuance. Boysen’s work exudes a sense of timelessness, carefully balancing delicate introspection with moments of profound grandeur. Alta Ripa builds on Boysen’s reputation for creating emotionally resonant and intricately layered compositions.
“Ours,” the album’s opening track, sets a contemplative tone, pairing atmospheric textures with tender synth melodies. The simplicity of its arrangement is deceptive, drawing listeners into a detailed listening experience. “Mass” follows with a darker, brooding edge, its dense drones and atypical rhythmic structure building a sense of unease only two tracks in. Boysen’s third track, “Quasar,” has movement, with rolling synths that come to life through opening filters and interesting pitch bends, giving the track flexibility and elusiveness.
The title track, “Alta Ripa,” serves as the album’s centerpiece, a moment that asks the listener to reflect through its simplicity. Its ebb and flow capture an emotional spectrum with beautiful pads and an eerie, horn-like lead.
“Nox” and “Vineta” embrace a more minimalist approach, using sparse arrangements and lingering silences, along with Tom Adams’s only vocals on the track. In contrast, “Fama” introduces a burst of energy with its playful arpeggios and glitch-like rhythms, bringing vibrancy into the album’s latter half. The closing track, “Mere,” is a meditative conclusion, its soft harmonies offering a serene and reflective finale.
Alta Ripa stands as a testament to Boysen’s skills in both electronic and acoustic domains. It is an album of meticulous detail and emotional depth, inviting listeners into an immersive and richly rewarding journey. Each track contributes to a cohesive narrative, making Alta Ripa a defining moment in Boysen’s discography. The only thing missing is a visual accompanying the sonic journey of Alta Ripa.
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