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Russian pianist and composer, Olga Stankevich, blends classical string and symphonic influences with modern dance elements that are majestic, atmospheric, and new age-driven. The keyboard sounds and neo-classical elements are prevalent throughout the entire seven-track release. Importantly, Olga’s sophomore release is completely instrumental. The symphonic undertones are also very cinematic and suspenseful.
“Moscow Midnight” opens with a bright piano melody with electronic percussion sounds and symphonic, keyboard pads that lighten any mood. The sweeping piano melody is very majestic and cinematic with an element of hope and yearning overall. The piano notes are very bright and clear in places, but the majority of piano sounds blend in to the symphonic overtures and percussion. Nevertheless, the various melodies and rhythms blend together harmoniously without any faults.
“In Limbo” begins with a few electronic swishes and laser-piercing elements with cinematic string sounds. The electronic beat undulates between piano interludes and lush, atmospheric background sounds with industrial and suspenseful dance beats if Michael Stearns met Tangerine Dream at an Enigma concert. The swishy sounds and electronic nuances are cleverly-produced and appropriately-delivered.
“Walk” opens with a triumphant array of electronic blurbs, swishy electronics, and a frenzied dance beat interspersed with trickles of industrial brilliance. The dance beat contains a load of keyboard pads, symphonic strings, and great percussion that never seems to end. The glimmering electronic foundation is rather cinematic overall, but the instrumentation develops an almost avant-garde caricature around mid-song. The pulsating beat is suggestive of industrial Euro-dance music, but Olga keeps it relatively light without losing any of its musical intensity.
“Sound Sleep” opens with a few short and slow piano sounds, electronic percussion, and synth sounds that build into a meandering beat that is somewhat somber. The magnificent twinkling piano notes and piercing electronic sounds blend atmospheric washes with angelic background vocals that are indiscriminate and non-descript. The vocals essentially come out of the electronic music and may not really be vocals at all. At any rate, Olga succeeds with another stellar track out of her creative repertoire.
“Recalcitrance” begins with a swishy electronic opener, quickly followed by a sweeping piano melody. The piano sounds end and an electronic display of neo-classical strings and arrangements set the tone for the rest of the track. There are European and Egyptian elements that come together in a modern medley of electronics. The dance elements are rather reserved throughout. The percussion is rather computerized and a perfect accompaniment to the piano sounds. There is a bit of a pan-Arabic element in the instrumentation and arrangements, but the track is still uniquely Olga’s.
Olga Stankevich combines neo-classical ambiance with electronic dance music and atmospheric washes for a truly new age, spacey, and cinematic-infused concoction of aural bliss. The seven tracks combine the elements of new age, classical, dance, electronica, and cinematic music. However, the album only runs around thirty-minutes in length. Also, the tracks are all instrumental with only a hint of choral vocals on one track, but the result is rather subtle. The level of dance music is diverse, but it is not dance club material. The music is rather reduced and trance-inducing with various trip-hop, down-tempo, and lounge elements abounding. The spacey, atmospherics are majestic and a proper fitting for the remainder of the album. The spritely keyboard pads and neo-classical stylings are definitely a high point for the recording. However, everything seems to work well together without any issues. Fans of industrial, electronic, symphonic, neo-classical, and dance music will love Olga’s latest endeavor.
