Los Angeles – S. Carey, a one-man project of Bon Iver drummer Sean Carey, released a new album “Range of Light” through Jagjaguwar on April 1, 2014. This ambient solo endeavor showcases a wide range of intricately crafted and emotionally evocative sounds ranging from atmospheric to folk to hints of jazz.

Range of Light is a follow up to his debut album entitled All We Grow. His debut is a minimalist effort that showcases his attention to detail. His sound is produced through the incorporation of a variety of subtle, atmospheric nuances. Elaborate and scenic, the sonic aesthetic is characterized by its ability to conjure up lush, ethereal soundscapes. Hauntingly lovely and evocative, the track “Rothko Fields” contains layers of blossoming sound that is not contrived or forced, and is a standout on the album. The album culminates with the track “We Fell” which displays the ingenuity of his lyrical content, versatile musicianship and his ability to craft a song exquisitely and without boundaries. The recurring piano hints at a Philip Glass or Bill Evans influence and the melodic nuances and emotionally jarring harmonies produces a stirring piece. On this new album, he only intensifies his tendencies to create elegant arrangements with a versatile range of instruments.

Range of Light is a pure extension of his debut album. It seems like Carey has embraced the atmospheric and abstract sounds he cultivated in the first and built upon and converged them into a more elaborate and quasi-orchestral album. This ambitious and contemplative album features dynamic tracks, with hints of folk and jazz, that display the same intimacy and depth of his debut; giving the album an ability to feel tangible as opposed to solely sonic. He experiments with other types of instruments such as the harp in “Neverending Fountain” which gives the album an element of sophistication and a delicate aesthetic. Combined with pensive lyrics and emotionally stirring, lush melodies, Range of Light reflects his refined aesthetic flawlessly.

This album seems to display a cathartic release of both genuine emotion and ruminations from his past experiences. With its delicate and gentle rhythms and array of lovely and organic sounds that are reflective of his affinity for nature; Range of Light and All We Grow are complex and pensive. His ability to translate his experiences through rich and melancholic harmonies and delicate arrangements paints a sonic dreamscape in a way no one has done so before. 

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