by Jason

Nadav Cohen is a composer from Melbourne, Australia. His work falls into the category of ambient neo-classical, with an emphasis on synth and piano melodies that find variations throughout his compositions. Cohen is also a mathematician and who thinks, in part, about his music with math in mind but also sees his music it as a means to communicate emotion to the listener. This marriage of the left and right brain results in brief yet beautiful compositions on his Lacuna EP. The EP is four tracks that are the length of pop tracks. However, when on repeat, I find they really hang together in a special way, looping in and out of the album with an ease.

Lacuna begins with “Welcome Home”. As the track rises in volume, it greets the listener with ambient sounds and bright, flittering textures. These fade and smooth out into a singular chorus which is accompanied by a sort of staccato piano style. The melody is beautiful and inviting, like a warm homecoming. String-synths rise briefly and then cascade into the distance while another bright melody plays. As the track reaches a climax, it falls into a fade and “Ending the Storm Begins” with a bright drone and a thumping beat. There is a percussion type synth sound that plays as the piece begins to come together into a set of juxtaposed melodies. There are even elements in “Ending the Storm” that remind me of quieter moments in Album Leaf tracks. It’s a gorgeous composition that leads into the second half of this all-too-brief EP.

“Soft Touch” is a bright piece that utilizes cheerful tones and has a more traditional structure. Sparse percussion backs up the trilling melodies mixing synth and what sounds like guitar work. I absolutely love the rise of static that happens at the very end of the piece. It is brief but puts a beautiful punctuation mark on the composition. “Lacuna” begins with all string sounds. This rises into a Sigur Rós style moment. There is a gentleness here. “Lacuna” evokes compassion, oddly enough, playing on the listeners sense of care and empathy. It is a stunning conclusion to the EP.

Lacuna contains four superb pieces composed and played by Nadav Cohen. Each track is evocative and beautifully executed, with attention to details creating melodies that play with one another throughout each composition. My only criticism of the EP is that it is way too short. I want more and, perhaps, that the intent. Lacuna will be released on Fluttery Records on February 28 on digital and Compact Disc.