EP Review: For The Ones We Care About

Conall Ryan is a Kiwi currently residing in the UK, composing video game soundtracks. February 28th saw the release of his debut EP, For The Ones We Care About, a collection of four tracks collated from compositions he has been working on for game soundtracks, featuring stunning cover artwork by Conall’s father, Chris Ryan.

The first of these is Time To Unwind. Softly played cello paves the way for a delicate piano melody. The one-minute mark brings a subtle increase in the intensity of the dynamic, the piano melody now accompanied by stabs of bass notes. The long cello notes fade away, only for the cello to return in pizzicato form, which in turn heralds the brief disappearance of the piano. The sustained cello notes cycle back in, with the return of the piano. The whole effect of this piece is one of softness and serenity, a fitting soundtrack to the act that the title describes. This would be a superb accompaniment to enjoying a good book in a comfortable armchair, warmth blazing out of the fireplace, on a cold and rainy day.

Delphine’s Lullaby was written for Conall’s niece, upon her birth, and he would frequently play it on guitar to help to get her to sleep. A lightly phased guitar interlaces with an intriguingly effected melody, joined swiftly by some soft synth swells. The density and volume of the swells increases, relegating the guitar to a slightly more background role. The overall effect is redolent of a dream of flying through space, inspiring visions of interstellar aurorae, of bright comets, of ringed planets and orbiting moons. The beauty of this track is most assuredly lulling, and it seemed almost over before it had begun, despite being almost seven minutes long.

I’m Here With You starts off with a sweet marriage of a synth melody, and counterpoint nylon-string guitar line. This is a thoughtfully constructed piece that artfully tells its softly voiced tale. A sense of peace prevails, nicely reflecting the title. The music aptly suggests warmth and security, togetherness and understanding. Lastly, we come to Think It Over + A Leap of Faith. A delicate synth arpeggio introduces this one, with deep string swells gently arriving. A slight hint of the first and only percussion of the EP, in the form of a shaker or maraca, makes its tiny presence felt. There’s the most light and subtle shift in mood at around the halfway point, and then the entire feel changes, perhaps signaling two pieces joined as one. The melody arpeggio becomes considerably more intricate, and pizzicato strings stab gently into the mix. The entire piece (two pieces?) is light, airy, and beautiful, bringing the EP to a gorgeous close.

After work tonight, whilst you’re making dinner, put this EP on in the background or in your headphones. I guarantee that by the time you’re sitting down to eat, you’ll be as relaxed as can be, with a huge smile on your dial. Nice work.