Prepare to be taken on an incredible journey into a world where nature and technology meet in harmony. James Hastings’ debut EP, ‘GAIA’, is an eclectic blend of folky textures fused with delicate electronic soundscape. This London-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has collaborated with producer Jamie Biles to craft this 3-track masterpiece that takes us on an emotional journey through an increasingly dying planet.
The EP opens with ‘Mother’, a powerful cry of rage against humanity’s war on nature. James weaves in forest samples to create an immersive soundscape that perfectly sets the scene for a world under threat. The chorus becomes a cyclical mantra that you can’t help but sing along to, building into a fierce and climactic frenzy, before slowly ebbing away to nothing more than the crackle of dying embers. It’s like watching the world burn before your very eyes.
But fear not, because the second track, ‘Sanctuary’, provides a much-needed oasis in this world of chaos. The initial acoustic piano chimes and soft vocoder vocals give way to epic electronic highs wrapped in driving synth textures. The verses and choruses flow effortlessly into one another, embodying an individual and collective longing for peace. It’s like a breath of fresh air in a world that’s slowly suffocating.
Closing the EP, ‘Howl To The Moon’, speaks of loss and a longing for home. The central character wanders through a desolate concrete wilderness, accompanied only by the sounds of guttural acoustic guitar and raw string harmonics. As he meanders through his last surviving memories of a life half-forgotten, a solo violin echoes a tune he recognises as having once heard. It’s a hauntingly beautiful end to an already mesmerising EP.
‘GAIA’ is a cinematic masterpiece that fills your ears with imaginative imagery. It’s a genre-defying trio of songs that showcases Hastings’ dramatic style of storytelling and eclectic range of musical interests. The EP is followed up by a series of acoustic live sessions filmed amongst the ancient woodland of One Tree Hill in South East London, presenting a new stripped-back version of each track to be released week by week.
‘GAIA’ marks James Hastings’ first statement as a solo recording artist, and what a statement it is! It’s an EP that is both timely and timeless, and one that I highly recommend you add to your playlist. Keep an eye out for this rising star, as I have no doubt he has more exciting plans in store for us.
You can find more of James Hastings at:
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You can listen to ‘GAIA’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.