Espais by John Beltran

John Beltran continues his relationship with Delsin Records with the release of a new ambient album, Espais in summer 2015.

Beltran has long been a master of his art, turning out seminal LPs and EPs on labels like Peacefrog, Millions of Moments and Text Records. Back in 2013 he released the well received Amazing Things following a wide ranging compilation on the label, and in the near future he is to release another full length project, but first comes this.

Espais is an absorbing soundtrack featuring 17 pieces of immersive, sonically lush and rich music. As he has throughout his career, Beltran makes use of modern techniques and classical composition to craft a wide range of blissfully soul soothing moods and supple, subtle grooves.

Tracks like ‘Espais’ are uplifting and heavenly with their sombre chords, ‘Přestávka’ is angelic and crystal clear, where ‘Ruimten’ is rather more meaning and forbidding. Its textures are frazzled and almost industrial. Elsewhere efforts like ‘Dream Tangle’ blend synthetic machine made sounds with more organic strings and the results are truly moving throughout.

Unfolding like a proper journey with a carefully threaded narrative, this album is yet another testament to Beltran’s ability to sculpt sound in intricate and compelling ways.