A Journey into Relaxation
Hug, an American musical trio and childhood best friends, released their newest album, “Hug,” by using dream-like instrumentals to enhance a gentle journey. With almost each song in a different key, melody changes, and a range of instruments, Hug guides the listener into a calming and safe environment that soothes your ears and mind. Take a step back from reality to reveal the colorful sound visuals this album submerges you in.
How does Hug and their newest album stand out within modern music? Creativity and originality surpass all, and Hug has delivered that through softer instruments in the album to boost nostalgic or joyful tunes that don’t require any lyrics. This album makes it better that the group had been childhood friends, which makes it more intimate and sentimental.
What gives this soundtrack a childlike, whimsical experience are the instruments and sound effects used in a plethora of songs. With the first song, “Cow With Half Moon Parasol”, our first introduction to this album is the relaxing and crisp sounds of a lamellophone. The instrument to create music using the tips of your fingers, almost like a xylophone. This song produced a lot of serotonin by adding in frog noises with soft synth melodies in the background. In other featured songs, there are hidden instrumentals such as the flute, acoustic and soft electric guitar.
Hug not only showcases their talent with instrumentals and experimented non-instrumental chords, but also includes culture and messages subliminally in their music. The fourth featured song, “Sarva Mangalam” (सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये) which translates to “all good” or “everything blessed”. Sarva means all and Mangalam translates to lucky or good fortune. This song has delivered good vibrations from the beginning and teaches the audience a new language that can have a positive outcome, such as shifting your mindset to good fortune and luck.
The diversity in this album truly blows the minds of jazz lovers, spiritual enthusiasts and soft ambient electronic music. There are messages sent to the audience through music and through lyrics. The duality of music creation can truly change perspectives and mentality. It helps improve moods, physically gets you excited and adds a new artist to your playlist. Subtle hints of jazz instruments like the flute and saxophone create a calm yet experimental musical experience for the viewer; try “Forgotten Gate”. For spiritual enthusiasts, “Sarva Mangalam” is a great expedition for immersing yourself in culture and a positive mindset. With lyrics with a deeper hidden meaning, it also includes calmer instrumental selections such as acoustic guitar, flute and maracas.
Hug has made an album made for a wide music demographic. It dabbles in themes of peaceful minds, jazz and dream-like wonder states. It includes instruments that complement each other well to create a composed and serene experience in the music industry. There are diverse components that cater to multiple music lovers and can induce a community. The band has a strong foundation built on passion for music and childhood best friends, releasing all of their great vibes into one album.
