John Thayer, one half of the amazing duo YAI, returns to the Aural Canyon label with his latest solo record "Winds Gate". The press release accompanying the album makes numerous references to rivers and water to describe its mood and creative process. Yet after my first listen, my mind was instantly drawn to the titular element instead: the wind. While water, much like the record itself, is characterised by fluidity and currents, Thayer's airy, synth-led ambient soundscapes convey the weightless freedom found only in the open air. Listening to this at night on my headphones, the opening tracks immediately transported me to an almost empty amphitheatre just before a performance, as the audience gradually fills the space and the orchestra tunes their instruments; you can feel the magic is about to happen, and this subtle excitement, encapsulated in those tracks, feels like a special event on its own. Quite often, the journey, not the destination, is what matters and makes every moment special - "Winds Gate" will take you on an amazing trip.
Sadly, the tapes are sold out, but you can still grab the digital version here.