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  • Home
  • Listen to our Albums on Spotify
  • Articles
    • Meditation & Mindfulness >
      • Types of Meditation >
        • Relax with Transcendental Meditation
        • Mindfulness, the Meditation Technique That Everyone's Talking About.
        • Does Walking Meditation Work
        • Things You Should Know About Zen Meditation
        • Finding a Meditation Technique that Works for You
        • The Types of Spiritual Meditation
        • Guided Meditation: Let Someone Guides You in the Right Path
      • Meditation Techniques >
        • Meditation: Establishing a Daily Habit for a More Fulfilling Life
        • 15 Ways to Be More Comfortable During Meditation
        • How to Use Music to Meditate - Three Essential Tips
        • Meditating Wіth Sound
        • Uplifting Meditations With a Garden Theme
      • Using Meditation to Bring You Greater Confidence
      • Accessories for Meditation
      • Types оf Meditation Music
      • Enjoy A Refreshing Meditation Retreat Without Leaving Your Home
      • Types оf Meditation Cushions
      • How to Set Up a Meditation Room
      • Comfortable and Cool Meditation with Stylish Meditation Cushion
    • Yoga >
      • Yoga Styles >
        • Benefits оf Hatha Yoga
        • The Growing Practice of Yin Yoga
        • Power Yoga
      • Yoga Music Helps Improve Movement Of The Body, And Promotes Positive Feelings
      • Typical And A-Typical Yoga Props
      • How to Choose Your Yoga Mat
      • How Yoga Transforms Your Body
      • Benefits оf Combining Aromatherapy wіth Yoga
      • Types оf Breathing іn Yoga
      • Yoga for Kids
      • How To Become a Yoga Instructor
      • A Brief History of Yoga
    • Tai Chi >
      • Meditative Movement
      • Incorporating Tai Chi Into A Regular Yoga Regimen
      • Mindful Meditation And Tai Chi - A Match Made In Heaven
    • Sleep >
      • How Slow, Quiet, Piano Songs Are Best For Sleeping
      • How Music Helps You Get Better Sleep
      • How Sleep Affects Our Health And General Well Being And Sleep Tips
      • Using Your Senses for Sensational Sleep
      • How to Use the Power of Nature to Promote Sleep
      • How Can Aromatherapy Help You Get Better Sleep
      • A Mattress Topper for a More Relaxing Sleep
      • White Noise: An Overlooked Sleep Aid
    • Relaxation >
      • The Best Music for Relaxation
      • How to Take a Soothing Relaxation Bath
      • Relaxing With Shiatsu Massage Chairs
      • Chant Your Way to Relaxation
      • Scented Candles for Relaxation and Meditation
      • How to Relax When You Can’t Make the Time
      • How to Use Visualization Techniques to Calm Down
      • 10 Ways To Relax More Often
    • Deep Breathing >
      • 50 Ways Deep Breathing Benefits Your Health
      • How Deep Breathing Improves Optimism
      • How Deep Breathing Reduces Stress Anytime And Anywhere
    • Stress Relief >
      • Stress Relief Music To Unwind
      • Relieve Stress With These Toys and Accessories
      • How Nature Helps To Alleviate Stress And Rejuvenate The Mind
      • Unique Ways to Use a Shower to Relieve Stress
      • 10 Ways to Deal With High Stress
    • Aromatherapy >
      • The Art of Aromatherapy
      • The Basics of Aromatherapy for Your Home
      • Aromatherapy - An Overview
      • Scents to Wake You Up & Get Your Day Going
      • How Lavender Can Make Your Life Better
      • Essential Oils >
        • An Introduction To Essential Oils
        • Why Essential Oils Are So Effective?
        • 10 Amazing Essential Oils for Beautiful and Flawless Skin
    • Astral Projection >
      • Astral Projection For Beginners
      • Astral Projection Guide
    • Self-Improvement >
      • Music for Self-Improvement
      • How to Show Love to Yourself
      • Relaxation & Meditation Tips to Improve Your Life
      • Staying Calm
      • Practical Advice To Be More Present
      • Using Affirmations to Change Your Life
      • Life-Changing Tips for Maintaining Positive Energy Everyday
    • Lucid Dreaming >
      • Lucid Dreaming: Exploring the Mysterious Mindscape
      • Lucid Dreaming Techniques
      • Lucid Dreaming Tips
    • Health >
      • The Healthy Way to Start Your Day
      • Health Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps
      • Herbal Teas That Reduce Stress And Promote Relaxation
    • Affirmations >
      • Mindful Breathing Sustains and Energizes Me
      • Listening to Music Lifts my Spirits
  • Product Reviews
    • Omharmonics Binaural Beats Meditation >
      • A Powerful Technology For Spiritual Well-being (OmHarmonics Review)
    • Meditation >
      • Padma Seat Product Review
      • Muse - The Brain Sensing Headband Product Review
      • YogaAccessories Round Cotton Zafu Meditation Cushion Product Review
    • Yoga >
      • 7 Top Rated Yoga Mats
      • The Ultimate Yogi Home Workout DVD Program Review
      • 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap
      • Gaiam Yoga Blocks
      • Yoga Tank Top
      • Yoga Capris for Women - Hidden Pocket
      • Non-Slip Skid Yoga Pilates Socks with Grips Cotton for Women
    • Sleep >
      • Sound Oasis S-550-05 Sleep Sound Therapy System Review
      • Sleep Master Sleep Mask
      • Sound Spa Relaxation Machine with 6 Nature Sounds
    • Aromatherapy >
      • Review of The Complete Book of Essentials Oils & Aromatherapy
      • ZAQ Allay Litemist Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Product Review
    • Review of the WBM Himalayan Salt Lamp
    • The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: A Great Book of Philosophy
  • Binaural Beats Meditation Articles
    • Binaural Beats: Optimizing Your Brain with Just Your Set Of Headphones
    • The Best Binaural Beats
    • Binaural Beats for Meditation
    • Binaural Beats for Sleep
    • Binaural Beats for Lucid Dreaming
  • About Music2Meditate
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  • Affiliate Disclosure

Album Review - Enya's ‘Dark Sky Island’ By Brett Stewart

12/9/2015

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It’s been nearly thirty years since the world was introduced to Enya Brennan, who was popularized in the late 80s with the pivotal ‘Watermark’ record. In the years following, Enya has released seven full studio endeavors to varying degrees of success. At her best, the iconic Irish songwriter and composer is deeply emotional, sonically spectacular, and hauntingly beautiful. At her worst, she’s mundane, repetitive, and stuck in a sound that’s never grown or evolved. After quite a break, she’s back this year with Dark Sky Island an album that’s probably in the middle of that spectrum.

The introduction to Dark Sky Island, ‘The Humming...’ is very telling of the rest of the eleven track experience. Enya is still Enya. Sweeping string orchestration, copious reverb, vocal layering, and tinges of Irish traditional folk music are all present. The first two tracks of the album, ‘The Humming...’ and ‘So I Could Find My Way’ feel very “safe.” Enya doesn’t venture into any new territory you aren’t already comfortable with her being in. The lyricism is equally safe, not particularly expressing any new themes, just building on some basic love ideas that she attempts to flesh out in ‘So I Could Find My Way.’

‘Even In The Shadows’ is a high point for the album early on. Enya has always had an excellent knack for the self-creation of harmonies. This track capitalizes on that talent, creating a tune that breaks Enya out of her bubble a tiny bit more. She remains out of that bubble in the following track, too. ‘The Forge Of The Angels’ is a stunning experience, essentially creating a minimalistic opera landscape for Enya to softly croon throughout. The composition is well organized, harnessing the finest of what Enya brings to the table in her releases: great string sections.

‘Echoes In Rain’ is a compelling effort, perhaps because it breaks the established tempo of Dark Sky Island (Yes, it has one tempo that it does tend to meander within). This spices up the experience, but the string stylings are sorely repetitive. That is a problem Enya faces with her tunes; she seems to move toward those finger plucked string pieces in lieu of percussion. My point, is that she’s recycled this a thousand times over. Regardless, the piano solo in the piece does offer some sonic variation that amends the repetition, somewhat.

‘I Could Never Say Goodbye’ is likely the most well written endeavor on Dark Sky Island. It’s a heartbreakingly personal song, really pulling on Enya’s ability to harness those poignant emotions with tact. The titular track follows, basically extending on the established sound of ‘I Could Never Say Goodbye.’ As a result, ‘Dark Sky Island,’ the song, is somewhat forgettable.

‘Sancta Maria’ is interesting, if not only because I’m fairly positive that lead instrumentation is synthesized, or mastered to sound like it. I actually really like this; it forces Enya to leave the confines of that repetitive string plucking she’s all too happy to write into every song. That plucking does introduce itself around that main riff, but to hear such a bright piece of instrumentation grounding ‘Sancta Maria’ is refreshing. ‘Astra Et Luna’ is entirely skippable for its heavy reliance on Enya’s formulaic aethstetic.

‘The Loxian Gate’ continues Enya’s jaunt through vocal layering, adding an extra layer of reverb over a sparse usage of a gong. It’s nothing particularly invigorating, but it is soothing, as is ‘Diamonds On The Water,’ the finale. If you’re seeking a purely “Enya sound,” this record delivers that in spades. It doesn’t, however, deliver on the creative promise of a matured artist 28 years into their career.

I can’t imagine listening to the Deluxe version of this album. It’s not a bad album, and it has its moments, but Enya seems all too content in territory she’s occupied for many years without any real change. I adore some of her work, and in my opinion, her emotion is what makes the ending of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ so tear jerking. She did the same with ‘Gladiator;’ ‘Now We Are Free’ completes the film. As such a talented composer, however, she’s failed to exhibit any real sense of variety or creativity in the last decade. Dark Sky Island perpetuates that cycle. That said, ‘Even In The Shadows,’ ‘I Could Never Say Goodbye,’ and ‘Sancta Maria’ are admirably good songs.
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