Known for her evocative film scores, Berlin-based composer Freya Arde now looks to step into a new creative space with ‘E C H O’, her first full-length project crafted beyond the cinematic realm. Building upon the warm and emotive presence she has cultivated over the years, this collection of nine instrumental compositions showcases her signature poetic minimalism, blending electric guitar with stirring string arrangements and ethereal textures to create a deeply immersive listening experience.
Having previously shaped the sonic worlds of The Hidden Life of Trees and The Flying Classroom, Arde now turns inward, exploring themes of connection, both personal and universal. ‘E C H O’ is a meditation on time and presence, each piece unfolding with a sense of quiet reverence, inviting us to drift through its delicate layers. The compositions pulse with emotion, striking a balance between fragility and strength, reminiscent of modern classical innovators while maintaining a direction entirely her own.
Following the release of her Spirit Awake EP in 2020 and the acclaimed single Moon Window via Deutsche Grammophon, Arde is moving with a new and subtle elegance across this new release. Taking both a grand and stripped-back approach to its production, she aims to leave a lasting impression and gives her latest LP a beautifully refined aesthetic throughout.
Across ‘E C H O’, Freya Arde proves that her artistry extends far beyond the silver screen. Creating some of the more lucid and tranquil compositions we have heard so far this year, it feels as though this new journey into her own creative spirit may have only just begun.
