Pacific Blue

Nicholas Gunn is a prolific and impressive composer. With over 20 albums to his credit, he has reached millions with his music over the world and also is on countless music productions. I listened to his varied catalog that includes records such as “Encanto,” “Breathe,” and “Journey to Yellowstone.” I was interested in hearing this new record from such a talented composer. He based in the UK and studied at the Royal Academy of Music. I can listen and understand the classical training in his work. The first track on the album is “Into the Vastness”. It’s a very moving piece that begins with a drone pad. It sounds cinematic with retro arpeggiated synths that seem straight out a futuristic film (Blade Runner anyone?). I enjoy the building of the theme and the way he slowly plays with the dynamics. If you are a fan of artists like Vangelis and the film Blade Runner, you have to check out this track! The next track is “And I” featuring vocalist Alina Renae. Alina has a lovely voice that brings emotion to this powerful, emotional ballad. “Sailing” is the next track that begins softly with synth leads and has ocean sound effects that blend nicely with the music. It starts to pick up with a steady trance beat that develops the progression. “Chasing the Light” is the next track begins with piano and a light synth pulsing lead. Nicholas takes his time creating the vibe in his introductions and brings a chill mood. The next track, “Fallen,” featuring the lovely vocalist Alina Renae again, is another solid track between the composer and vocalist with pulsating synth leads and shimmering piano. “Adrift,” the next track beings with soft wave sounds and synth leads trading back and forth in conversation. A light, chill beat comes in the background with rising synth pads. Beautiful! Next up is “Float” that began with a soft echo synth leads and sampled vocal, builds, and then fades. The title track “Pacific Blue” featuring Alina Renae is next. It begins with a minor chord that brings out the sad emotion that is the vibe of this song as she sings about love lost. “Coast” is next, another chill piece with light synth lead with a background pad. I could easily see this used in documentary, film, or TV. “Out From the Deep,” the last track on the record, features once again Alina Renae. Nicholas takes his time building the intro into a stunning climax into this record. This one is my second favorite with the first track, “Into the Vastness,” being my favorite. Indeed this has been one of my favorite records to listen and review so far for 2020. This album releases on April 24th everywhere on all digital formats. I highly recommend it!

Nicholas Gunn is an English recording artist who first rose to prominence in the early 1990s with his innovate soundscape music that explored themes of the American Southwest. Among his iconic works include the landmark albums The Sacred Fire and The Music of the Grand Canyon, which helped to shape what was then an emerging style of music commonly dubbed ‘ethnic fusion’, and having remained widely popular since. But these days Gunn has shifted his focus from world flute vistas to electronic dance culture with his trance music recording moniker Limelght. He’s also continued releasing works under his own name, but in a more ambient/chillout style that's on similar par with Schiller, Blank & Jones or (Above and Beyond presents) Oceanlab. Following his stunning 2019 full-length release, Riding the Thermals, Gunn has returned with the equally enthralling Pacific Blue for another sensual voyage into Balearic ambient-trance. Drawing much of its inspiration from the ocean, the album paints vivid images of open waters, sunny seacoasts and endlessly blue horizons. The gorgeous opener “Into the Vastness” sets sail with dance-trance sequencer patterns accentuated by sparse piano notes and cinematic swells, which effectively evoke oceanic waves crashing upon the shore. Joining Gunn once again on a handful of cuts is singer Alina Renae. Her sultry vocals deliver accessible melodies on highlights like “Fallen” and “Out from the Deep”, which perfectly compliment the overall beachy and breezy vibe of the compositions. My favorite piece on here is “Sailing”, an epic chill-trance instrumental that intensely bursts forth with electrifying passion while culminating into a whirlpool of sonic ecstasy. Additionally layering in both fluidly electric and warmly acoustic guitars along the way, Gunn's lushly organic-electronic soundscapes often convey a sense of euphoric escapism and wishful longing. An indisputable musical legend in the realm of atmospheric and electronic music, Nicholas Gunn can demonstrably transition from one style of music to the next, both masterfully and authentically. Another supremely blissful offering from one of ambient/chillout’s finest, Pacific Blue is a must-have album that deserves to be on everyone’s summer playlist!

The beauty and magnificence of this emotionally stirring album almost renders me speechless. Deep as the ocean, ‘Pacific Blue’ is exceptional in every detail. – Dyan Garris Nicholas Gunn, born and raised in the U.K., is well-known for creating music centered on our greatest natural wonders. “Pacific Blue” is the 20th album release for this multi-talented, Billboard-charting, musician, composer, and producer. “Pacific Blue” is a metaphor for our journey; our lives and our emotions are as deep, wide, and vast as the ocean, and the many currents and undercurrents of life ebb and flow throughout. Not traditionally, “New Age,” this is more in the “Contemporary” zone. “Pacific Blue” is 10 tracks: 6 excellent, soul-stirring, electronic, instrumentals and 4 outstanding vocal performances by Alina Renae. All the music here is alive, with a distinct pulse, breath, and a heartbeat. The album opens with the expansive, sweeping, aptly named, “Into the Vastness.” This is gorgeous, beginning with a droning pad underneath, and builds nicely into a wide, cinematic feel. This is the perfect opener to lead us into even more deeply into the ocean of magnificence. Following is “And I,” an emotional, heart-centered ballad with dreamy, thoughtful piano and the first vocal performance from Alina Renae on the album. A favorite, I have to say, this gave me chills and actually brought me to tears. Stunningly beautiful, it is definitely one for the playlist. “Hey, I just came here to say. I am sorry for all the pain. Those days when I was running from my life... And I . . . Have finally found a way to say. . . I love you.” The exciting, exuberant, “Sailing” follows, and we are off on an exhilarating voyage. Electronica with ocean sounds, you’d swear you are actually ON that sailboat, feeling the salty sea breeze and glorious sun on your face as you sail along on the journey of life. It’s good to be alive. “Chasing the Light” is light and graceful. Wonderful beat and skillfully woven guitar make this a soul-soothing experience. “Fallen” is the second vocal performance here by Alina Renae. We have a mildly percolating, mesmerizing beat and the lyrics are wonderful as well. “It’s like I never lived my life. . . until I looked into your eyes. . .” Calming ocean sounds lead us nicely into “Adrift.” Melodic, meditative electronica creates a very chill atmosphere. Great guitar here adds to that. This is an expansive song that gives us a truly peaceful feeling. Really love this. It’s another for the playlist. “Float” is an atmospheric dream with wordless vocals along with ethereal sounds. Here, we are indeed floating. This is very relaxing. Title track is the third vocal performance by Alina Renae. This song opens with calming ocean sounds. A great World beat accompanies percolating layers of brilliance. There’s something about this song that has an eternal, timeless quality. Yes, it’s brilliant. “I lost my way and almost strayed but found the path to our Pacific Blue.” I found “Coast” to be very hypnotic. This is graceful, flowing, and ultra-relaxing. Love the guitar here. Yet another for the playlist. Leading us out of the album is, “Out from the Deep” featuring another vocal from Alina Renae. The song has an ethereal, plaintive quality. It feels like light emerging; an epic birth, back into our own “Pacific Blue.” “Pacific Blue” is a breathtakingly beautiful album. Love it all, including the edgy cover art, which lets us know we are in for something truly special. Available as a digital album only. Beyond excellent.

Love 💙

Had to have this.