Counterpoint!
Not the literary refutation - what we’re writing about today is the musical construct - the one where you have loads of different melodies all working together yet independently to create something bigger than the sum of its individual parts.
What I love about this track is that it’s done so well, it creates a wonderful sense of energy and momentum - all without the need for a beat track - and that’s really cool. We know that there’s a million different types of tracks to accompany the million different writing use cases - yet often there’s a need for energetic input - for upbeat tracks - I know - I’ve been grooving on a few of them over the last few months. Thing is though - when there is such a consistent instrument - a constant kick drum, an incessant snare - always in the same place at the same time and so insistent - it can - just sometimes - take you out of the track - it’s as if it becomes just too familiar and therefore boring and monotonous - never a good thing for one’s ears.
A track like A Spirit’s Freedom creates the same momentum and energetic input as a band backed by a percussionist and yet manages to do it organically. To my ears anyway, this creates more space for me to get lost in while at the same time buoying me up to tackle the typing ahead of me.
There’s very little info about the band - aside from a Facebook page that indicates they’re a London based alternative instrumental trio - but if they continue knocking out tracks like this - I reckon you could be hearing more about them.
Take it out for a spin…
You can learn more about To Life here:
About the Curator: Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
Although I've always played, I haven't always been a musician. Most of my twenties were spent working with people, buying and selling and learning how the world works. It was in my thirties that I came to America and focused on music and began to develop music2work2.
Latest Posts
Lonely Dream – Drunken Kong Remix – The Archer, Drunken Kong
24 November 2021
But as I’ve moved from ideation to manifestation, the energy of the playlist needed to change – solo piano is good for thinking – but 8 minutes of 130 bpm edm is great for getting things down
Out Of Reach – Cristoph, Yotto, Sansa
8 November 2021
So if you’ve been listening to the playlist recently you know what’s coming. Last week’s track was all about setting the intent for change – away from the more relaxing ideation space of solo instrumentation to this week’s electronic track from Cristoph, Yotto and Sansa.
Mr. Clay – Johnny Klimek, Tom Tykwer
31 October 2021
I’ve known for a while that the feel of the list was going to change – while piano instrumentals are perfect for reflection and ideation – at some point you need some energetic input to get your fingers moving.
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.