Breathers
Little Magic, 2026
9/10
The Irish musician and composer Alex Dowling recruits a string quartet for these tunes that embrace breathwork meditation, and it’s fleshed out by members of the L.A. based Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra.
“Wind Chime Green (Coherent Breathing)” opens with Luke Hsu and Ann Miller’s violin gestures making for a distinct, soothing appeal that actually carries a rhythm similar to deep breathing, and “Cloud White Loops (Slow Exhale)” follows with Rainer Crosett’s meditative cello emitting a mesmerizing tone amid the rich layering.
In the middle, “Blue Sky Boxes (Box Breathing)” radiates a unique intimacy via the quartet’s sublime interaction, while “Echo Branches On Silver (Slow Exhale)” comes in waves of minimalism and strong attention tonality that employs Arianna Smith’s viola strategically.
The last track, “Snow Moon Pink (Slow Exhale)”, continues the theme with a hazy and therapeutic finish of enlightening song craft.
If you close your eyes and concentrate on breathing, this record with undoubtedly make one feel better in body, soul and mind, as the classical ambience guides the healing.
Travels well with: Daniel Gall- Exit Paradise; Peter Scott Lewis- Pacific Triptych