Free - D (original Soundtrack)

Album Review

Free-D (Original Soundtrack) exists in a kind of musical limbo — while it possesses elements of everything from ambient techno to dream pop to new age, it refuses to adhere to any strict sonic definition for too long. For one, the reliance on live instruments like cellos and flutes lends the Ecstasy of Saint Theresa's soundscapes a distinctly human pulse, but at the same time the music is clearly electronic in structure and design, textured by droning keyboard washes and synthetic rhythms. Moreover, while the record's soft contours and muted hues evoke the aesthetics of ambient, it simply refuses to fade into the backdrop — the formlessness of the songs ensures that they're in seemingly constant flux, a shape-shifting fusion of spectral vocals, enigmatic samples and abstract beats. Ultimately, it's Free-D's refusal to accept easy categorization that makes it so compelling — it's a singular experience in deep listening.