#7k!

This year’s top album was a revelation: one of the humblest records we’ve ever covered drew acclaim from our entire staff.  In a year of tumult, it comes as no surprise that we would be drawn to the quiet and unassuming pleasures of an ordinary day. Our overall list also conveys a concern with the state of the world as it is.  Two albums capture the sounds of street protests in different nations.…

Echo Collective - The See Within - acoustic post-classical ambient?

In only a few years, Brussels – based Echo Collective have forged an enviable reputation in the post – classical world: sought out for their instrumental and arranging expertise by icons such as A Winged Victory For The Sullen and the late Jóhann Jóhannsson, or lending their interpretative intuition to genres as diverse as alt.rock, synth – pop and black metal.

Finally, an album of their own material “The See Within”, confirms Echo Collective are equally inspired creators, using their past accomplishments as a springboard to a new, illuminating vision. From brief, singular themes to lengthier, shifting and questing episodes, this masterclass in composition, expression and technique bridges intimacy and grandeur in line with the most rewarding of post – classical works.

The See Within is scored composed for violin, viola, cello, harp and, in its first appearance on an album recording, the magnetic resonator piano (MRP). “All sounds are acoustic, and produced in real time,” explain co – founders Margaret Hermant (violin, harp) and Neil Leiter (viola). “No processing or post – production other than reverb. The acoustic element is Echo Collective’s identity. A natural sound.”