We previously featured Mark J Soler when he captured the magic of childhood and the ocean, sharing a heartfelt tribute to his son’s unique spirit with The Seventh Wave, so when we heard that the talented artist was back with Walking in the City, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Establishing the mood with textured drums and a cymbal hit, expanding with a dimensional bassline and astral organ riffs, Mark J Soler opens Walking in the City with a playful and optimistic energy. We appreciate the connection between the soundscape and the title of the track.
The chord changes are sublime, and evoke diversity in spirit, which is reflective of what one might expect when walking through a city! The horn sounds tap into nostalgia, whilst the high keys and more psychedelic synths lend themselves to a more progressive and almost futuristic energy.
There is most certainly a cinematic energy that manifests, and we could imagine this being the score for a cerebral comedy like Intolerable Cruelty, or perhaps a TV show like PLUR1BUS. The intricacy is divine, whilst the instrumentation forms a cohesive tapestry of sound. We love the guitar performance that emerges for the finale, adding icing to the already expansive experience.
We learn that Walking in the City is part of Walks, a three-track instrumental EP inspired by the idea of inner life, exploring introspection, meditation and emotions such as desire, regret, acceptance and nostalgia through music as a spiritual language. The song is designed to reflect the restorative power of walking through Paris, where the city’s energy and beauty help transform dark thoughts into a renewed, positive vision of the world.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Walking in the City to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Mark J Soler, including Lazy Song, and Inner Life, from the Walks EP!