Singular
Singular Album
2024 / David Wahler - 38 minutes
by Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano
David Wahler has been releasing incredibly beautiful and relaxing music since his 2009 debut, Antiquus, and Singular is no exception. The ten original tracks are performed by David on piano, synth, pads, strings, bells and Omnisphere and make up a collection of "moments in time" from his life. Through his music, David has created something of a "novella" that expresses emotions and experiences that include love, guilt, reckless abandon, seclusion and intimacy from a life well-lived - "Looking back, looking forward, looking within." Most of the piano tracks are felted, which softens the sound of the piano's hammers hitting the strings, making it less percussive. The whole album has a very warm, dreamy feeling that can take us out of the craziness of our current world to a place of peace and tenderness - and what a refreshing break that is!
Singular begins with the title track, a piece with a delicate shimmering glow that is played on piano and cello with atmospheric synth sounds in the background. Slow and very smooth, it can put you into a reflective mood very quickly. "Lilt" is described as: "When a day evolves into an effortless smile" - a lovely thought! Built around a series of upward - moving broken chords on piano, the melody is very simple, but expresses the theme perfectly - I really love this one! David describes "Love in a Meadow" as: "A clandestine meetup at a time (1970) when same - sex love forced young lovers into reckless abandon." Very light and uplifting, there is a lot of joy in this piece, and you can almost feel the sun warming the skin in a beautiful meadow - I really like this one, too! "Solitude" is often expressed in music as feeling sad and isolated, but David describes his piece as "an introvert's castle." A very simple melody with relaxing broken chords on the piano, it is peaceful and very comfortable. "Olive Branch" is quite a bit darker and is played with a harp sound, bells, piano and washes of ethereal synth color, offering feelings of hope within insurmountable conflict - very heartfelt and beautiful.
"If Only..." is described as "the distant voices of doubt, guilt, melancholy." One of the more ambient pieces on the album, feelings of deep reflection are occasionally punctuated with the clear sound of a bell. "Lotus Lake" was inspired by David's "place of peace, solitude, reckoning," and is a little glimpse of heaven set to music. You can almost see sunlight dancing on the gentle ripples on the lake. "Lento" reflects on living in a slower world and is a duet for piano and cello with various quiet synth sounds in the background - very calming. "Fingers Touching" returns to a livelier tempo, expressing the beginnings of new love - warm and joyful yet slightly tentative - another favorite (although I really like them all!). The album closes with "Love, Me": "my valediction to people, places, and events in my life." It's a bittersweet ending to a very personal reflection on the ups and downs of life that I think most of us can easily relate to.
was released on October 25, 2024 and is widely available. More links will be added as they become available. I give Singular my highest recommendation!
Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano: https://mainlypiano.com/
New Age Instrumental Review: David Wahler - Singular
by Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck,NAMR Reviews,Founder
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Label: Independent
David Wahler's Singular, released on October 25th, perfectly accompanies the reflective and contemplative mood that the Fall season often brings. His picture on the cover hints at the connection between humankind and the close people in our lives, a theme that resonates deeply during this time of year. I will list what the tracks meant to David and then give my overview.
1. SINGULAR - We enter this life as one and leave ultimately as one. The soft piano begins, and the cello, in a trance-like state of sorrow, quickly exits. The cello's mournful tones echo the empathetic understanding that we must face our final moments alone when we leave this plane of existence.
2. LILT - When a day evolves into an effortless smile.
The piano begins again softly, as you would expect, with David's relaxing, mesmerizing atmosphere. It carries a message, tone, and rhythm that indicates how one's outlook can change during the day. The evolution of the music brings a smile to the listener's face.
3. LOVE IN A MEADOW - A clandestine meetup at a time (1970) when same-sex love forced young lovers into reckless abandon.
Love is love, and this is the story of a secret meeting between two people who felt that way for each other. It is gentle and beautiful yet fragile, like the music presented. Love can be complex, particularly in this time frame, which seems like a lifetime ago. All we seek as humans is love and acceptance regardless of who we love or our beliefs. Music can be heartfelt and touch the soul. Hopefully, this one does for all of you who can relate.
4. ALONE - An introvert's castle.
What would it be like for an introvert to be inside the massive walls of a castle? It doesn't sound very comforting to anyone with that personality type. The piano beckons the call for courage and strength with a gentle push to acceptance. I am not an introvert, but if I were, I would want to hear this soothing music to calm me internally and mentally so I could deal with the fear of being alone in such an intimidating piece of architecture and history.
5. OLIVE BRANCH - When conflict seems insurmountable, a tiny light appears.
The title of this track is so essential for a world on fire that we live in these tumultuous times. The music has a distinct timing and repetitive, hypnotic effect as the bell sounds off in quiet solitude. The piano on the third layer completes the track, 3:46 minutes of absolute beauty.
6. IF ONLY... - The distant voices of doubt, guilt, melancholy.
If only it were not part of your life, it would not haunt your soul. The what ifs and such can make us doubt the present, hold guilt about the past, and an overall melancholy about life itself. The music invites you to look another way to the positive as you focus on the frequencies and let it take your mind to another place. It's a very atmospheric ambient track worth exploring all those feelings again. You can find your truth in the music, focus on the bell sound, and the slow pace and flow of the synths.
7. LOTUS LAKE - My place of peace, solitude, reckoning.
The Lotus flower is synonymous with spirituality and the solitude of meditation. You can take this music, which is a beautiful flower as well, and picture it in your mind's eye to realize your peace, solitude, and reckoning of your soul to give you the freedom you deserve. Beauty is in the eyes and, in this case, the ears of the beholder. Another gorgeous backdrop of colors and sound to bring attention to your inner being.
8. LENTO - Living in a slower world.
How does one live in a slower world when all around you is chaos, fast-moving days and nights, and frenetic movements and thoughts running through your head? The answer, of course, is to focus on lovely sounds like the track provides. Its pace and tempo epitomize the term slower. The cello makes an appearance once again to add additional texture and emotion to the keystrokes.
9. FINGERS TOUCHING - Those first glances, that yearning, and finally a connection.
The human touch is our healer, so it is for many creatures we like to love and comfort. This love story could apply to any number of things — the keys dance in rhythm and in time with a waltz of sweeping emotions. Anticipation leads to satisfaction and the realization of making all the essential connections that are our life force. This track is one of the most beautiful and entrancing on the recording.
10. LOVE, ME - My valediction to people, places, and events in my life.
The track is the curtain closer on this touching group of tracks and sums up the entire story behind the music for David Wahler. To be validated is a feeling of joy and truth in our lives. It gives us the positive sensations to carry on our chosen path and makes our world right. Everyone in our lives is vital, and the love they surround us with is a precious gift not to be taken for granted. Here, the piano plays like a lullaby that pulls on your heartstrings. Such clarity of thought and emotion set to music needs to be celebrated. It all ends appropriately with gentleness and the feeling of the keys penetrating your soul.
Singular is a masterful collection of music that invites introspection. Each note, each title, serves as a guide on a journey of self-discovery. It is a thought-provoking and absorbing experience, perfect for those who seek a deeper connection with music.
Singular by David Wahler
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Our lives are made up of “moments in time.” Put them all together and we have the gift of perspective. We can look back, we can look forward, and we can look within. We can have a good look at the gamut of experiences and emotions that have comprised our lifetime. And if we are lucky, no matter what has transpired, we may end up with the “singular viewpoint” of a life well-lived. David Wahler has had such a life and such a gift. Here, he shares with us a “peek behind the curtain,” and speaks poignantly through his talent in this beautiful musical novella. The emotions of life we find here are so masterfully conveyed through piano with instrumentation in over almost 38 minutes and 10 tracks, and range from love, guilt, reckless abandon, seclusion, and intimacy.
A little about David for those that do not know: David has embraced his dream of making music not just his career, but his life. David’s first album, “Antiquus” was released in 2009 to critical acclaim, followed by “A Star Danced,” “Secret Dream,” “Becoming Bliss: One Hour Series,” “Spiritus,” and “Mosaic.” And since the 2019 release of his seventh album, “Two Hearts,” David has enjoyed worldwide success. David’s album, “Currents.” was released January 2021 and his album, “Collection,” was released in 2022. His award-winning album, “Blue Rose,” was released at the end of 2023. And now we have David’s new album release, “Singular,” which is certain to be a resounding success as well.
“Singular” opens with the title track which begins with soft, felted piano. It’s a perfect space for reflection and contemplation. Strings intertwine briefly and add a rich depth to the composition.
The relaxing “Lilt” follows, which is gentle, melodic piano, nicely played. Here we are drawn further into the loveliness that is this entire album.
"Love in a Meadow” is as playful as its title implies. We still have that gentle nature, and the ambiance is sweet as we uncover the many layers and nuances of this song.
We are never really alone, even if we feel that way. “Alone,” a nice felted piano solo, is flowing and not at all melancholy, but rather more introspective.
It would be a rare person that has never had to extend an olive branch to another. There’s certain trepidation that comes along with this act, as well as hope for a positive outcome. “Olive Branch” perfectly captures these emotions. It’s soft and gentle, plucky, and hopeful all at the same time. I like it alot.
How many “if onlys” do you have in your life? There isoften that lingering question about what if you’d gone left instead of turned right? “If Only” again has that soft muted piano, along with gentle bell tones and quiet, calming synth instrumentation. Again, we have a few moments to contemplate our choices. This is really beautiful and dreamy.
"Lotus Lake” is a true favorite on this album. Supremely flowing, relaxing, and tranquil, we find ourselves easily transported to another place and time where we haven’t a care in the world. Piano is just gorgeous here as are the synth pads and soft bells. Very peaceful.
In music, the term “lento” refers to slow and deliberate pacing. “Lento” is just exactly that. Leisurely piano interweaves with lovely and heartfelt strings to bring us back to center.
Another favorite on “Singular” is “Fingers Touching.” David has perfectly captured that special exchange of energy we feel when touching fingers or holding hands with another person. Melodic and flowing, again, with soft and beautiful piano, ultra-dreamy and relaxing, with gentle synth pads as well.
This gorgeous album closes out with the tender “Love, Me” which with its felted piano lulls us effortlessly into a wonderful state of serenity. Get it? The whole album is a love letterto us all. And, like those, this album is to be cherished. Genius. A definitive “must have.”