Infinity

Album Review

In the liner notes of Infinity, Australian new age composer Japetus writes that the record is supposed to be played at or just above hearing level, and can even be put on continuously at this low volume for days to provide a subtle, relaxing background. There are no track titles on Infinity, as Japetus urges his listeners to experiment with shuffling the songs to create a slightly different sound each time. The emphasis should definitely be on the word "slightly," as each track is practically a continuation of the previous one, with gentle, nearly rhythmless synthesizer noises and echoes that melt into one another, more similar to a painter's palette than to an actual album. Japetus' intent, after all, is to create auditory colors, and he seems to be particularly drawn to the soft pastels rather than more vibrant or forceful primary ones. The music sometimes borders on eerie, so that while it might be suitable for daytime meditation, it could cause a slight feeling of unrest as it grew darker. However, its low, soothing, drawn-out chords and sounds are perfect for providing a level of tranquility and inner peace for those within hearing distance of the music, and overall provides a very calming soundscape.