专辑简介

Released six months after his debut Diary of a Libra, Michael Valentino’s Hymn to the Unknown is a more atmospheric, melodic, and technically superior album than its predecessor. It opens with its beautifully calm and somber title track which puts the listener in a trance-like state and never lets go. Tracks such as the memorable swashbuckler Starboard, the Yanni-inspired Valley of the Kings, and the catchy pop synth-driven Sands of Time use distorted piano and synthesized keyboards to create echoing, haunting emotions reminiscent of breakthrough artists such as Enya and Harold Budd, clearly his top inspirations. The piano work on here seems to set up mood rather than act as the driving force this time, which adds to our enjoyment. Tracks like the humbling Past Hast Gone and the ambient and pulsating Mansion II further the air of dark and moody mini soundtracks without overstating the piano sections. Overall, second albums usually showcase a musicians’ artistic growth and maturity and Hymn to the Unknown appears to be a step forward. -William Hartford (Indi-Sounds)