Robert Humber - Into Air [Redshift Records]

Released via the Redshift Records label on February 27th, 2k26 is "Into Air", the latest album outing written by Canadian composer Robert Humber. Subtitled 'Four Multi-Tracked Pieces' this release features a total of four brand new pieces, the latter two being rather long form whilst the first two are split into three individual movements each. Opening with "Into Air", a piece for five violins inspired by an airborne view of the Canadian wildfire season, the attentive listener is immediately able to sense imminent danger, dramatic movements and swirling vortices paired with an almost Classical sense of beauty and widescreen panoramic arrangements whereas "Mothmouth", written for three guitars, brings forth a rather opposite feel of a calm, rural and in parts Folk-adjacent ebb and flow of layered, multi-tracked guitars accompanied by occasional percussive sounds, providing a deep and hypnotic yet also somewhat flanger-y journey - with the latter effect achieved due to the close layering of different guitar tonalities. Furthermore we see "Murmurations" as a concept for layered six pianos on a rather dense, in parts even enchanted and ethereal tip, exceeding the realms of Classical x Modern Classical piano performance by far with its amalgamating layers entering a misty sonic dream state of rather Twin Peaks-leaning atmospheric qualities before "Singing In Circles" combines solo cello and solo octet in a continuous, nearly 14 minutes spanning dialogue ark ranging from tender, intimate and Classical-informed moments to raw, agressive and untamed bowing attacks introducing high octane drama and rather physical off-kilter tonalities to fans and followers of Contemporary Avantgarde Composition. If you're amongst these, this album is for you.