Longest Year

Dark Beyond the Blue (2020)

'A Matter of Light and Depth'
f5point6
See Blue Audio SBA 038

1. Synthesis of Internal Matter
2. A Matter of Light and Depth
3. TerraForming
4. Twelve.Three.Three.Three.
5. Chronophotography
6. Forever.Decreasing.Circles.
7. In Order to Funktion
8. In Pursuit of Efficiency
9. The Prometheus Project
10. Shifting Perspectives
11. Message from a Distant Future
12. [Outro – Memoirs from My Inner Voice]

Release date: 23 September 2022

lnk.to/SBA038

See Blue Audio: ambient / electronic / beatless / cinematic / downtempo / eclectic / introspective… Shade rather than light...

As the previous release from f5point6 revealed, this is a project in constant flux and evolution. 'The Shuttle Leaves at Midnight' towards the end of 2021 was the first chapter in a new musical quest exploring different directions and unknown territories. It also demonstrated enhancements in sound creation as synthesizer composition, jazz influences and experimentation were added to the artist's audio palette. Now f5point6 returns with a full-length album that picks up from where its predecessor left off, and then transports us to new destinations once again. 'A Matter of Light and Depth' is the seventh collection of cinematic music from f5point6, the thirty-eight release on See Blue Audio, and a finely sculpted, while also intensely personal, way to mark the end of summer's respite and re-examine the world around us.

f5point6 is the musical guise of multidisciplinary artist R.Cleveland Aaron, but it also operates as a form of storytelling; part of his internal enquiry to try to make some sense of all that surrounds him, including what came before and what will come in the future. As the earlier 'KaleidoSound' series depicted the different stages of evolution on our planet, and then 'The Shuttle Leaves at Midnight' saw us seek out new worlds and parallel universes, so onto 'A Matter of Light and Depth' and something distinct again. A deeply rooted love of science fiction is ever-present in Cleveland's work, but here it's fused with a reflection on where humanity is right now: post-pandemic, environmentally destructive, politically and socially divided, and filled with identity anxiety and fear for the future. On 'A Matter of Light and Depth' he's not afraid to get serious and ask us to think about the growing need for liberty and justice – the Black Lives Matter movement is just one example – and the crisis around mental health. How do you see the future?

As the title suggests, the music across the twelve tracks of this album moves through multiple shades, moods and tones. The twisting and turning opening track, 'Synthesis of Internal Matter' is one of several beatless soundscapes, and the title track follows with its contrasting phases of dark electronic depths and moments of rippling elation. These emotional highs and lows are a recurring motif, and it's clear that Cleveland has poured his heart and soul into this album. Open and honest, sometimes confused and at others angry, but always questioning the technology and narratives we're fed.

As we travel through 'A Matter of Light and Depth' and reach 'Message from a Distant Future', a sense of hope rises; our signals sent out into the universe have finally been detected and returned. "Come" is the only word revealed in the decryption process; the rest is in our hands. The closing track, '[Outro – Memoirs from My Inner Voice]', softens the mood as the artist tries to listen to his own inner voice away from all the clamour around him.

Welcome to the world of f5point6 and 'A Matter of Light and Depth'. Elegantly crafted this album most certainly is, but also suffused with raw emotions and smouldering energy. As with all of Cleveland's music, it travels through space and time, but on this occasion, he pauses, reflects and plants an anchor firmly in the here and now. As such, it represents his finest work to date.

Mastered by Thomas Ragsdale.

Artwork and photography: R.Cleveland Aaron.

A Matter of Light and Depth

'A Matter of Light and Depth' (preview) – f5point6 (See Blue Audio SBA #038)

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Ambient / electronic / beatless / cinematic / downtempo / eclectic / introspective… Shade rather than light... Established 2019.

Submissions: contact@seeblueaudio.com

'A Matter of Light and Depth' (preview) – f5point6 (See Blue Audio SBA #038)

See Blue Audio

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