Another track from the candidates list - but strangely enough not the track that the artist recommended. Which is rare - ‘cos normally you have a listen and decide whether you dig the track or not and if you don’t you move on never to think about them again - but Riley Goltz - or “Memoir” as he performs under, had a secret weapon!
From his 2017 album Stay, Riley had submitted the first track, Prescription - and while I was all over the opening tones and overall ambience, when the trap beat came in it just threw me off my stride. And yes, I know this is purely subjective and those beats may work for someone else, they just seemed too jarring for a writing soundtrack and hey, it’s my list - so there! :-p
I gave it several listens and loved how the track developed but just couldn’t get past that initial sonic disruption - that’s the thing about writing music - it’s got to be amazing but not too noticeable - it can’t be too boring but it can’t be too narcissistic “look at me” either.
So what to do - for most other track subs I’d have moved on to the tackle the backlog but here’s Riley’s secret weapon from his submission:
With that level of enthusiasm for the playlist and what comes across as an authentic love for this kind of music - I had to give the rest of the album a listen.
Settling on Medication - which I’m sure some people will say is way more “Dynamic” than Prescription - but again - My List - so there! ;-p - I’ve had this on repeat this week as I’ve been tackling sequential email series - a necessary but tedious process and this track has kept me in the perfect space: quiet and melodic when I need to think - loud and energetic when I’m flagging and need a boost.
So yes - here’s to Memoir and a beautifully put together album of great instrumental rock music - definitely take it out for a spin.
You can learn more about Memoir here:
About the Curator: Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
Although I've always played, I haven't always been a musician. Most of my twenties were spent working with people, buying and selling and learning how the world works. It was in my thirties that I came to America and focused on music and began to develop music2work2.
Latest Posts
Lonely Dream – Drunken Kong Remix – The Archer, Drunken Kong
24 November 2021
But as I’ve moved from ideation to manifestation, the energy of the playlist needed to change – solo piano is good for thinking – but 8 minutes of 130 bpm edm is great for getting things down
Out Of Reach – Cristoph, Yotto, Sansa
8 November 2021
So if you’ve been listening to the playlist recently you know what’s coming. Last week’s track was all about setting the intent for change – away from the more relaxing ideation space of solo instrumentation to this week’s electronic track from Cristoph, Yotto and Sansa.
Mr. Clay – Johnny Klimek, Tom Tykwer
31 October 2021
I’ve known for a while that the feel of the list was going to change – while piano instrumentals are perfect for reflection and ideation – at some point you need some energetic input to get your fingers moving.
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.