Brian Eno- Reflection (2017) Review

Brian Eno- Reflection (2017) Review

By: Ghost Writer

Brian's ambient work at its best is hard to describe, it's meant to exist, to pass almost unnoticed, its meant to meld seamlessly with our surroundings, at first glance it doesn't sound as an idea suitable for our current troubled times, but it's emblematic title says it all: Reflection, an Eno's flawless masterpiece, a welcomed attempt as a way to give us a breath, to set up a pause, to give us a particular space in our complex times, in Reflection, Eno's give us the chance to look at ourselves, at our inner self and reflect about the situation of the world, it's a powerful individualist statement that will not leave the listener unaffected considering the not so jubilant context.

A new record by Eno is very important event considering that Brian is not only a monumentally influential musician, but also a notable thinker, and Eno´s new record didn't come alone, it came with an important message issued at the year's start and posted here, it was a cerebral message of hope for what seems to be one of the most troubled years in recent history the Brexit, Trump's triumph in the USA elections and the rise of populism in Europe threatening the European Union, Eno's return to music after a couple of great records in past years on Warp Records is a sign of great uncommon music appearing in complex scenarios, Eno's fearless immersion into ambient music, which he pioneered in the 70s based on Erik Satie's enormous musical contributions, is without a doubt a sign of things to come, Eno returning to the abstraction of the past in order to find himself after the wonderful The Ship last year, this is the ultimate sonic subversion.

Reflection is a 54 minutes piece that embrace us and drive us towards our inner self, a dark and reflexive trip thru sound and space, with Eno masterfully building a colossal a both dense and subtle piece of music, delicate and daring, a subtle masterpiece of restraint and featuring a powerful display of control on small details, it's Eno at his most abstract in recent story, at his most fearless and in total freedom as an artist, delivering piece by piece of this apparently minimal piece, blossoming with great detail and passion, a sweeping piece that is both reflective and scary, with Eno skills as composer shinning bright and delivering enigmatic beauty on every note.

In a way, Eno's Reflection help us make a clear sense about Dylan's recent Fallen Angels, a collection of old songs that perfectly delivers what the fascist Donald Trump falsely promises, it makes America great again, and in the middle of hate and ignorance, what Eno's record does, is another powerful statement, is making inner reflections about our world and deep thinking great again.