Songs to the Sea by Michael Crean: Album Review

by Damien Reid January 31, 2023

January 31, 2023

Songs to the Sea by Michael Crean: Album Review

“Songs to the Sea” is a folktronica album brought to life by London-based artist Michael Crean. Experimentation at its finest, the songwriter channels spoken word and futuristic melodies for a dynamic outcome.

The opening number “Water” feels like a reflective journal entry. As we explore the mind of the artist, a poetic essence flows and dreamy synths initiate. Eventually, its crescendo arrives and a more expansive rhythm piece consumes the track. Up next is “Drift” an avant-garde piece accompanying a dark atmosphere. Steadily we grasp just exactly what Michael’s creative ethos is all about. And from my end, I was quite ecstatic to hear the rest of the album. With a heightened aura arrived the epic “Just for Now.” A vibrant cinematic tune, the song has an ambient instrumental section with pianos and symphonies. The singer starts off on a soft scale and eventually builds up to a high-ranged vocal piece. I got goosebumps at this point of the album, especially the way Michael hooks you from the get-go and channels emotions profoundly.

Almost reaching the end of “Songs to the Sea”, the mystifying bit of “Silence” greeted me. At its very core, the track is an indietronica masterpiece. It blends off-beat sequences and atmospheric synths remarkably. The concept of each track from this collection was a captivating voyage indeed. Fortunately, it is available for streaming! So, I highly recommend hearing it with headphones along with a plethora of ambient lighting.