Enticing us with an intricate and evocative performance on the keys, Piano Prince opens their album, NEBULA, with the track Whenever I Saw You. The composition hold a sense of intrigue, mystery and melancholia.
The performance from the visionary artist is elegant and cinematic, as we are drawn further into their world. We learn that NEBULA is designed to tell the fictional story of the Piano Prince, “who must leave earthly comfort in search of greater meaning.”
Next up is Molecular with feels cohesive with the overarching soundscape of the record, utilising a higher key range to bring to life the more cosmic energy that Piano Prince delivers.
Melancholy feels emotionally aligned with its name, tapping into a more emotive vibe, as Piano Prince showcases their charisma on the piano. We then experience, The Calling, which ties back to the more astral themes on the record, delivering an authentic and wondrous sense of awe. Created with the intention to “pull us into the maw of infinite freedom” with its repeated arpeggios, we cannot help but feel hypnotised by the track and essence of its composer.
Sehnsucht opens with a minimalist nature, tapping into an almost jazz-hybrid sound with rippling nuances, whilst Phoenix showcases a more meditative approach from our protagonist. The dynamism and range of emotion that Piano Prince conveys is tangible, and leads us to Solar Eclipse, which features astral notes and a glimmering effect akin to the rays of the Sun.
Volatile (Losing You) is an immersive and emotive treat, with the drama that we first experienced at the start of the record. The star tells us that this is about “an intergalactic hunt for symbiotic harmony and molecular balance.”
Next is A Grain Of Space Dust, which feels cathartic in its essence, intentionally created to remind us of “the uniqueness of our species to love and connect, thus extinguishing our longing for the infinite.” We appreciate the bass chords and the sense of timelessness that the composition holds.
Finally, we experience, Orange Moon, which conveys intrigue and intricacy from the start, with astral keys whilst in the narrative of the album, Piano Prince “returns to planet Earth after a long journey”. The opus functions as a meaningful ode to the only moon orbiting our planet.
We deeply connect with Piano Prince‘s unique brand of storytelling, and how much charm and depth goes into the cohesive tapestry of sound that they have delivered with the record.
NEBULA was created on the Steinway grand piano in Schwarz’s studio housein Bannwil, Switzerland. Speaking on the release, the star says, “I am not prepared to compromise when it comes to my music, so I like to work independently. I also find it exciting to see a composition through from the first sketches to publication, as this process challenges me on many levels as an artist, musician and sound engineer.”