When the title is already worth half the album. A reference to Steve Reich's minimalist masterpiece, in itself quite magical in terms of sensations evoked, with the addition of a twist explicit in the direction of fantasy, combined with the implication of an identity between musician and enchanter, between art and supernatural creation.
The remaining half – the musical one in the strict sense – lives up to its promises splendidly. The Quebecois and hyperprolific Guillaume Plante Trépanier chose Ithildin as his stage name, the league of mithril in which Tolkien imagined forged writings visible only in the light of the Moon or the stars, and his music fully reflects the liminal and contemplative character of this vision. An extremely radiant and meditative version of the style dungeon synthwhich gives the evocative atmospheres typical of the genre a domestic, comfortable element (hence the more specific label comfy synth) and almost curative, in line with the most fascinating and luminous new age.
Thirty-three and 33 minutes of enveloping electronic intertwining, for a single song which – in addition to the subtle rhythmic games of the inspirational Steve Reich – recalls in its development the slow and surprising evolutions of Mike Oldfield and suspends time with a hypnotic grace. Bewitching and regenerative.
12/18/2024
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
