Neo-classical, modern classical, ambient drone, classical ambient, neo- modern drone, how about modern, ambient classical. Christine Vantzou’s debut under her own name (she is also part of Dead Texan) is an exceptional foray into one of the above – and will have you taking time out and re-imaging your life within minutes.

There are records like this that masquerade as experimental, delivering a few notes for minutes on end, fading into obscurity with every bland bar. And fair play to them – there are those who lap up such tuneless simplicity.

But Vantzou brings highs and lows and an understated journey to her record. The strings here sound like old-school classical, swelling with real emotion and retreating with respect. So it came as no surprise to find that a seven-piece orchestra formed the sound-waves here (the Magik*Magik Orchestra to be precise). Vantzou had planned it all with her synths and samplers and took it back to the organic.

The musician (who once toured as part of Sparklehorse) creates layers of strings and melancholy. Listen to Your Changes Have Been Submitted and try and unravel the goings on, the over-lapping waves, the high notes crossing paths with the lowly nostalgia.

Joggers closes the record with an epic undertone – cloaked with atmosphere, it’s a distant piece clouded by ambience. It feels like all that has gone before is slowly disappearing beyond the horizon and out of reach.

Vantzou’s debut (which was mixed by Stars of the Lids’ Adam Bryanbaum Wiltzie), feels true to itself. Unrushed, yet bringing in enough change to create a constant movement. It’s always a relief listening to a musician who is willing to hold on to our imagination, rather than boring us half to death.

-William Bell-