Bilyana Furnadzhieva and Viktor Bénév, the creative forces behind Crystal Sound Project, deliver an expansive and richly textured experience with In The Willow Dream. It’s an album that leans heavily into experimental sound design, blending organic and electronic elements in ways that feel both deliberate and immersive.
“The Screen” opens with a misty, atmospheric landscape, its slow pacing allowing each sound to unfold in its own space. You can almost hear the reverb dissolve into the air, giving the track a meditative quality that’s as much about stillness as it is about progression. It’s a patient composition that feels like watching fog roll over a quiet field—calm, unhurried, and deeply introspective.
Tracks like “Meeting Point” and “Hope Is Forbidden For The Loving” continue to explore lush, mostly instrumental soundscapes, with vocals serving as yet another layer of texture rather than the focus. As the album progresses, it becomes more adventurous, more willing to stretch the boundaries of conventional structure. “Profetia B” stands out as a stunning moment, evoking a sense of playing with the wind itself—its beauty feels almost accidental, like nature collaborating with the musicians.
That experimentation takes a slightly eerie turn on “Nocturnal Mood,” where a whispered section emerges unexpectedly. It’s brilliantly executed, but undeniably unsettling, catching you off guard in a way that lingers. Meanwhile, “Dark Wheel” offers a more grounded moment, pairing moody grooves with acoustic guitar and Eastern-influenced percussion. It’s one of the album’s warmest, most peaceful tracks, providing a centered sense of calm amid the more abstract explorations.
In The Willow Dream is an album that invites you to let go of expectations and sink into its sonic playground. It’s not a record that reveals itself all at once, but one that rewards deep, focused listening. Make time for this—its subtlety and surprises are worth it.
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