Drawing us in with a cinematic and meditative soundscape featuring evocative natural sounds and textured percussion nuances with cerebral motifs, Arcas and the Bear opens Solstice with a high spiritual quotient.
We are immediately enamoured by the intricacy that manifests, and the emotional depth of the piece. There is a cosmic allure that comes to life, and Solstice would be perfect as the score to a film like Ad Astra, Interstellar, or Annihilation. We could imagine Arcas and the Bear performing at a night event at Tomorrowland, Secret Garden Party, or perhaps Burning Man.
By the title of the composition alone, we understand that Arcas and the Bear is a consciously astute project, and this truly manifests with Solstice. The build of the track is subtle and detail-driven. The intensity that comes to life feels universally aligned but also in reverence to the psychedelic nature of the sun itself.
Speaking on the release, Arcas and the Bear, also known as Dan Patmore, confesses, “The creation of Solstice is a vivid moment or creation, reflection, and self acceptance in a rough year. I started the track on the winter solstice, inspired by the sense of reflection from that time of year. The sense of anticipation of Christmas and thoughts of the year spent.”
The rising artist cites Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin and Jon Hopkins as sonic influences, which we can feel come to life, although there is no doubt that Arcas and the Bear is creating a sonic universe unto his own design.
We love how Dan uniquely immerses himself in his creative process, surrounded by family, Coke Zero, and red wine to bring his compositions to life, and have added Solstice to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream Arcas and the Bear‘s wider discography, including between, and seven twelve.