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review by Dene Bebbington The latest album to come from prolific Spanish musician Neuronium (a.k.a. Michel Huygen), Hydro is described as "Aquatic anti-stress music" in the liner notes. In a similar vein to Azizi it is certainly relaxing, and the really interesting thing about this album is that some of the water sounds and vocals are created on synthesisers - being neither real or sampled. Trying to spot these should also provide some fun for the more technically minded! Six tracks go to make up the album, they have Latin (or Latin sounding, I'm not sure which!) names and vary considerably in length from under three minutes to over twenty one minutes. Some, like "Regina maris" are short but sweet, this piece begins with a refrain played on some kind of bells which then give way to female wordless and operatic sounding vocals which take one's imagination on a heavenward journey. The aquatic theme is never too far away and so the next piece "Pax" contains some water sounds; the synth effects and bird sounds in this piece created for me the atmosphere of a peaceful tropical paradise near the sound of running water. The longest track "Profundus" is particularly calming, glistening and gentle synths along with various effects and watery sounds make it seem like one is in an ocean letting the power of the water keep one steady while sea life is observed getting on with its strange and sometimes colourful existence. Further on the album is brought to a close in "Matrix maris" which is essentially a reprise of "Regina maris", apart from the closing minute or so where the sound of draining water gently fades to nothing. There's no doubt that Hydro is a good album to put on when you just want to sit back and chill out for a while, and is perhaps even better when you're lying in a bath with some real water gently sloshing about. Neuronium is a skilled musician who can blend synths and vocals to produce relaxing yet also stimulating music. Hydro fits this bill and is recommended without reservation. |
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