Brian Eno - Reflection (Album Review)

 

Brian Eno - Reflection

(2017)

My copy: double album at 45 RPM by Warp Records

Brian Eno is a legend in ambient music and production for a reason. Reflection was gifted to me by a relative who knows that I enjoy Eno's other works, and it became clear upon first listen that Eno has not lost his touch.

Reflection is an hour-long piece that is broken into four separate sections for the vinyl release. Unfortunately one of the core issues I have with the piece is that nothing really changes all throughout; yes the ambient swells are different and the chimes ring out at different times but actively listening to the record in one go can be a bit of a chore. Eno would probably think the idea of "actively listening" to ambient music to be a foolish endeavor however, as it was he who famously defined ambient music as a style that is meant to be enjoyed passively.

Reflection works perfectly as a background mood piece; its high pitched warbled synth tones give off images of a hazy subway station or of alien aircrafts passing slowly in the night sky. The fading bass tones give the music a pulse, and acts as a launch pad for the swells that occasionally work their way up from the fog. Chimes and mysterious key melodies add enough intrigue to draw listeners in just enough. 

Reflection is not a masterpiece like Eno's earlier ambient works, but it is a delightfully rich composition that sounds just tragic enough for listeners to conjure up an innumerable amount of interesting scenarios to accompany the music. 

This album is readily available online.