Into The Night
Neuma, 2025
9/10
The composer, performer and conductor Jeannine Wagar meshes (sampled) acoustic instruments and electronics across this first substantial effort on her own, and it embraces ambience, darkness and post-classical ideas.
The chilling title track opens, and uses playful percussive ideas and cinematic qualities where both mystery and warmth are present, and “Over Here” follows with waves of beauty via the strings and frisky electronics that mesh well with the orchestral slant.
“Easy Does It” and “Lament” land in the middle. The former is strong on atmosphere in a sci-fi sort of way, while the latter radiates tremendous wonder and awe thanks to the cautious bouts of exploration.
Residing near the end, “Over There” offers a mesmerizing and colorful peek into Wagar’s imaginative mind, and “Motion” exits with a rare dreaminess that fades into an ethereal and introspective finish.
A very unique effort that incorporates a chorus, pianist and percussionists to illuminate the light versus dark contrast, every track here is absorbing and capable of deep reflection.