Songs to Help My Children Sleep - EP

iTunes Review

Taking a page from Brian Eno, Robin Guthrie brings an ethereal atmosphere to everything he touches. With the Cocteau Twins, Violet Indiana and with his solo career, Guthrie creates a sound that aims for the stars in a faraway galaxy. Songs to Help My Children Sleep is a 4-song EP of tracks not included on his 2009 album Carousel. Guthrie’s fascination with ambient textures is never static. He injects melodies into the foggy haze that itself is never stagnant. “White Bear in Honolulu” has nothing tropical to say. The slow wash of beat-free waves suggests icy snowcaps more than a warm night with seasonal breezes. “Misty,” the EP’s closer, slips in a few surf guitar sounds alongside a slightly more aggressive guitar tone. These instrumental songs will surely help children sleep and allow adults to relax as well. It’s no coincidence that Guthrie’s work has also appeared in movies. His ability to create mood is beyond question.