Establishing the mood with an intimate, acoustic guitar performance, Martin Lloyd Howard opens Unanswered with raw authenticity and a peaceful sentiment as we become lost in the delicate depth of his performance.
The opus expands with dreamlike tendencies, repeated arpeggio riffs and brooding bass notes juxtaposed with astral sentiments. We appreciate the range of the instrument and the grace that the acoustic guitar manifests.
There is a cinematic allure to the track, perfect for a range of sync deals or perhaps the score of Midnight Cowboy, Paris, Texas, or even, The Guitar! There is no doubt that Unanswered is a thoughtful and beautifully crafted original composition for solo classical guitar.
We learn that it was written and performed on a 50-year-old instrument. This age adds warmth and depth to its crystalline nylon-string tone. Martin Lloyd Howard confesses that he sets out to fill a niche for accessible and classically influenced guitar music. This composition certainly feels like a confident step toward that goal.
Its chord progression and phrasing giving the impression of unanswered questions, in line with the title of the track. The natural resonance of his vintage guitar helps to amplify this sense of introspection.
As a classically trained English guitarist, Martin Lloyd Howard has expanded his musical identity over the years to include folk, blues and rock influences across both acoustic and electric designs. He specialises in original instrumental music, and has collaborated with artists such as Mark Johnson of The Midnight River Crew.
Naturally, we have added Unanswered to our New Music Spotlight playlist and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Martin Lloyd Howard, including Wessex Rose, Lady Teal, and Winter’s Light which we previously featured!