Solar Fields – EarthShine

I agree with these detailed fantastic reviews.. A spectacular release very special album. I just wanted to add the 2nd track Kickback.. sounds a lot like the basic chord arrangements of Visage's Fade to Grey.

EarthShine is definitely that EarthShattering, revolutionary trance album you would barely find anything similar to. There is nothing like it, neither before, nor after was released. It's in the league of its own. It's been 10+ years after the release, but even still you can barely come up with a trance music like this. Regular trance is clubby, has that common, generic patterns of build-up->breakdown->climax->folding scheme. Earthshine is not clubby in that particular sense. It's musical, and that's what makes it particularly amazing. You don't listen to 'trance' music here when you listen to this album. You listen to Music, which stylistically falls some where around – and embraces – Trance, Ambient and any other possible technical . It's not about generic sonic structures peculiar to generic trance, Magnus has definitely laced his soul in here which resulted in musical Stories. Each track has character, original and expressive in its own way.
For sure, you will find a lot of depth here as well, if, like me, that in particular is your point of interest in music. Cruise and Black Arrow is something out of, maybe not world, but this genre for sure. This is what Profound trance sounds like. Trance with lush atmospheres, straight-out, sober and powerful. After more than 10 years after the release, these two are eternal classics of the genre for me – and I've had plenty to pick from. Needless to say that first listens upon revealing this album back in the days days nearly got me astonished and shocked.
This is not an ordinary Trance album. It's definitely not estimated, not rated enough and I know that it will find its listeners, those who feel the lack for depth and simply proper trance music. It stands out. A true trance and true musical album.

Solar Fields already blew everybody away with his ambient releases and rightly so, they are a work of art. Here, he has ventured into euphoric upbeats and unquestionably smashes it. For me, this record has redefined the standard to which I evaluate trance. There isn't one dead track and even the 'weaker' ones are still quite brilliant.

At first listen, tracks 1,2 and 5 stand out as the most melodic of the album. They have beautiful, airy soundscapes that are a pleasure to be lost in. The final track cruise, is dark, deep and completely obliterated me with its finale. I wasn't too mesmorised by the other tracks but on repeated listens it became clear that they are as intensely moving as the others albeit a lot more subtle.

The craft that is put into each track, compiled with their sizable length results in being honestly blown away by each of their endings. This album has great re-playability and improves dramatically after a few listens. I truly haven't been moved in the same way since. Thank you Magnus Birgersson.
Black Arrow and Cruise are amazing stand outs.

There’s an epidemic plaguing the electronic music world – a wave of producers who know how to work computers yet have no musical talent. If you can lay down a kick, clap and hi-hat, you’ve got the basis for a track, then all it takes is a couple of random melodic notes sprinkled here and there to keep it interesting throughout. That seems to be the mentality anyway.

Enter Birgersson. Ambient producers can’t rely on beats to give an otherwise poor track legs. Birgersson’s first full-length foray into the world of upbeat music proves this with startling aplomb. Each track is an exercise in storytelling, employing a coherent melodic theme from start to finish with a natural feel that few other producers are able to achieve. His basslines and percussion are surprisingly good too. This is progressive trance as it should be: euphoric, danceable and entrancing, but never over the top. The length of each track ensures a long build of tension that is often only released in a gorgeous flurry of melody in the final minute.

However, the best part of this album is Birgersson’s undeniable attention to detail. Some particular noises or sounds only appear once in each track, leaving you hanging for them the next time you listen. It’s nearly two years since this album was released and I’m still fascinated by the layers of melody which I’m yet to mentally unfold. Highly recommended.

Here we have something interesting, a trance album from Scandinavian chill master Magnus Birgersson. Most fans will be expecting something revolutionary, but I will begin by saying that EarthShine isn't. But shouldn't take anything away from this release as this is one of the most interesting trance albums to come by in a long time.

Magnus brings a lot of ideas into the tracks and all of them are over 8.5 minutes. The mood is generally progressive morning trance with a healthy dose of Solar Fields ambiance. The first three tracks in my opinion are a bit weak. They have great ideas but could be implemented much better and after repeated listens sound a bit flat. From Track 4 the music really picks up. Brainbow is a floating progressive track but at 11:20 minutes you really begin to think why so long?

Track 5 to 8 are in my opinion the gems on this album. The tracks are long take a deeper and darker turn with pounding basslines, dark grooves and subtle ambiances.

All said a very interesting album and definitely a breath of fresh air in the world of trance. Cheers to Ultimae for finally releasing a proper trance album! But don't expect anything EarthShattering!