We previously featured Matthew Peter Gough when he teased his album, The Piano Field with the sublime and optimistic new composition, Buttercup Field, so when we found out that Matthew had delivered the album in full, we couldn’t wait to experience The Piano Field in all its glory, and share our review.
The Piano Field opens with the title track of the album, featuring peaceful minor key motifs, expanding with rippling keys into a cinematic and meditative energy. We appreciate the brooding bass notes with the astral melodies, inviting serenity and introspection. Mid-way through the piece, we experience a sonic bridge that evokes drama momentarily before a reprise into the original melody building towards a climax and eventual breakdown.
Next up is Gliding High, which opens with elegant mid-tempo arpeggios, evoking notions of timelessness. Again, the track is peaceful and cinematic – something that fans of Yann Tiersen would be able to connect with. The emergence of pizzicato strings adds dimensionality to the piece, and orchestral nuance that taps into a higher emotional quotient overall.
Cloud Roll opens with a universal sentimentality. It reminds us of the expanse of our planet, and how delicate icy crystals and condensed water move along the skyline. The high notes evoke the wonderment of the universe, whilst the string arrangement further amplifies the sonic experience.
This brings us to Buttercup Field, which holds a grounded energy – delicate like the nature of the flowers themselves. We appreciate the piano layers and the serenity, which expands with strings, both ethereal and plucked, demonstrating the dynamism of what Matthew Peter Gough can offer with his compositions. It is also worth noting that The Piano Field album was inspired by this buttercup field near Matthew’s home.
Thinking It Through invites introspection and the piano performance is one of the most dimensional on the record. It is highly cinematic and would be perfect for a TV show like Downton Abbey. Sitting in the Garden also boasts intricacy and charm – a peaceful vibe that invites us to connect with nature itself.
Next is River Always Flowing, which is a masterclass in “sonic painting” as Matthew poignantly brings to life the mimesis of a river itself – rippling and in flow. The syncopated details only add more depth to his art form as we better understand the imperfections of nature itself. The orchestral add-ons amplify the emotion of the composition, and we appreciate the bass motifs and rallentandos, again, echoing the tempo switches of a river.
Mice Play in the Corn is a playful track with rhythmic descending notes, layered with mid-frequency chords, almost teetering around like a mouse would do in the corn. The melodic curves are sublime and amplified with a folk-esque strings arrangement which furthers the intentional details of the narrative.
Pitter Patter is another example of mimesis with the keys reflecting the falling rain. This naturally one of the most delicate pieces on the record. It also reminds us of how Matthew is known for his lullaby music. Matthew confesses how raindrops trickling down a window pane in his studio inspired the track. We learn that Matthew experimented with echoes and delays for this track, and by bringing them in and out he was able to create movement and atmosphere that we experience.
This leads to Quack Quack which again embraces the more playful elements of a duck. This could be perfect for children’s cartoon based around a family of ducks. The minor key changes add intrigue and subtle drama to the piece. The build of the track feels like an ascension and boasts a dramatic close with subtle string motifs.
Finally, we experience End Of The Day, which feels like a full circle moment in terms of the meditative energy that the track exudes. A slower tempo than its predecessors, we feel fulfilled, with life, with nature and with the record. It feels like the sonic experience of a sunset and a charming close to a day buzzing with the excitement of what we can experience on our beautiful planet.
The Piano Field felt like a movie, and it is certainly worth experiencing the opus from start to finish. It is available now on streaming platforms, and also on Vinyl via Elastic Stage!