There’s something rare and quietly radical about a piece of music that asks you to slow down. With his latest instrumental release, the fabulously upbeat ‘Hanami’, French composer and multi-instrumentalist Mark J Soler invites us to dwell in the essence of spring.
The track is built around playful piano phrases and bright bursts of rhythm, the track dances between reflection and joy, much like the cherry blossoms that inspired it. Every note feels like petals drifting in the breeze with just the right amount of whimsy.
Sitting somewhere between a jazzy promenade and a cinematic vignette, ‘Hanami’ features a kaleidoscope of instrumental voices: lilting flutes, jaunty organs, sun-soaked trumpets, and guitar lines that twist and shimmer like dappled light on a garden path. Rather than overwhelm, these elements converse with each other, as each one steps forward briefly before retreating into the ensemble, mirroring the passing of a perfect moment.
‘Hanami’ is elevated by its intention. It’s music built to express that ephemeral feeling when something beautiful catches you off guard and all you can do is stand still and feel it. ‘Hanami’ is a gentle nudge to step away from the noise and take in the fleeting marvels around us. In a world obsessed with acceleration, Soler’s piece reminds us: sometimes the most profound thing we can do is simply notice.
