Michael Oaks, a name that has been gaining traction in the Celtic music scene, presents his latest masterpiece, "One Breath Wide, Moon Above Thought." This album, set to release on April 9, 2025, under the Mar Music Rec. label, is a testament to Oaks' unique ability to blend traditional Celtic sounds with a modern touch. With a runtime of 51 minutes, this album is a journey through the ethereal and the earthy, the mystical and the mundane.
The album features 16 tracks, each a standalone piece of art, yet seamlessly flowing into the next. From the opening notes of "Mouthful of Sky" to the closing whispers of "The Still Part of Wings," Oaks takes you on a journey through the Celtic landscape, both literal and metaphorical. The tracks are a mix of instrumental pieces and vocal tracks, with Oaks' soothing voice adding a layer of depth to the music.
Oaks' fascination with the moon is evident in the album's title and several track names, such as "Cloudbone" and "Fingertip Horizon." This celestial body, often wrapped in mystery and mysticism, seems to be a significant source of inspiration for Oaks. The moon's phases, its light, and its ever-changing presence in the night sky are all reflected in the music, adding a sense of fluidity and change to the album.
The album is a beautiful blend of traditional Celtic instruments and modern production techniques. The use of instruments like the fiddle, the tin whistle, and the bodhrán is prominent, yet Oaks doesn't shy away from incorporating modern elements. The result is a sound that is both familiar and fresh, a testament to Oaks' versatility as a musician.
With "One Breath Wide, Moon Above Thought," Michael Oaks has created an album that is not just a collection of songs, but a journey through sound and space. It's an album that invites you to lose yourself in its melodies, to get lost in its rhythms, and to find yourself in its spaces. It's an album that is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Vinylscout