If you have ever taken a walk in the growing shadows of a dying day to try and quiet the tumult that is wreaking havoc on you internally, Near Light’s self-titled EP could be the soundtrack of your evening. This instrumental band from Bournemouth, UK begins their EP with “For Lucie.” This song begins softly, with the cold feel of an autumn evening. The constant down stroke of the same repeating note crafts the imagery of motion and contemplation. The song explodes suddenly with sound, as if an inner storm has finally broken free, before settling again into a steady rhythm as the song reaches its conclusion.
“For Lucie” flows almost seamlessly into “Sheltered from the Storm”, a song of quiet introspection, growing to a climax of pleading urgency and finishing with several soft bars played on a piano.
The next track on the EP is perfectly described by its title, “This Place is My Home.” As the track progresses, the flow of the instrumentation paints the picture of driving through your hometown while the sun is just the right height to glare annoyingly in your eyes. The bittersweet melodies are just as poignant as the memories of the place you used to live and are still proud to be from somehow.
The EP ends with 1:30 seconds of a song with no title that bleeds into the last track, “In Darkness You Were My Light.” This song continues the pattern of taking the listener on an emotional rollercoaster full of highs and lows with the technique of beginning softly and building to a climax that tapers off sweetly as the song draws to a close.
Though it is easy for a listener to grow impatient while listening to an instrumental album, Near Light offers such meaningful instrumentation that the mind is set on fire with more imagery than a thousand words could express. This EP is brimming full of meaning and it is clear that both heart and soul went into the composition and performance of this work.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Album: Near Light
Release Date: September 2012
Genre(s): Post-Rock/Ambient/Instrumental
Location: Bournemouth, UK
Members: Matt Sims (guitar), Rory Dickinson (bass guitar), Steve Sims (guitar), and Mikey Davies (drums)
Label: Unsigned
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nearlightofficial
Bandcamp: www.nearlight.bandcamp.com
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/nearlight
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nearlightband
