Yin
Music & Texture, 2021
8/10
A producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Reza Safinia is a London native who resides in Los Angeles, and his resume is diverse enough to include working with Dr. Dre and Britney Spears. The first of two records he’ll release this year, Yin places his classical interests alongside electronic texturing and orchestral nods, too.
“Within” starts the listen with much atmosphere as soft keys and emotive strings work together with a darkly textured classical influence, and “Kali” follows with more firm piano amid an orchestral backdrop that’s even cinematic in its stirring beauty.
Near the halfway point, “Dhyana” moves with dancing melodies from the keys as the strings provide much emotional depth, while “Ahimsa” flows with a gentle, moving spirit of subdued waves of elegance. “Ajna”, one of the album’s best, then finds itself in dreamy territory, where mysteriousness lends itself to an almost film like presence, which only makes sense since Safinia has scored several flicks.
Close to the end, “Shakti” brings in vocals as an instrument as a light and airy environment is both surreal and hazy, and “Without” finishes the listen with strategic keys that emit a mesmerizing and absorbing vision that few could replicate.
A very artistic take on post-classical sounds, Safinia does so much with piano and cello in often darker areas that exudes so much creativity and skill on this very unique version of fusion. A fascinating listen, it will be exciting to see what his next album, Yang, will have to offer.
Travels well with: Gina Biver- Nimbus; Wesley Fuller- Seven By Seven