Out on February 23rd on Labile Records, Winters Past from Drifting in Silence sees multi-instrumentalist Derrick Stembridge tackling the moody and dark elements of winter and triumphly flourishing. The six tracks on Winters Past beautifully showcase an ambient yet emotional journey through a season that is often looked at through the eyes of desolation and sadness.
The opening track, “As the Last Leaf Falls”, signals the change between seasons. It is the soundtrack to one watching the last leaf pull away from the tree of life and effortlessly floating to the ground. The music allows one to aurally hear the peaceful dance between the leaf and the air.
For “The Embrace”, one is transported to the cold. Imagine if you will, staring out into fresh fallen snow as the warmth of fire is behind you. This image is the feeling I get for the song. It’s the odd silence of the fresh fallen snow yet the emotionality of the crackling fire.
Continuing with peace and quiet of winter snow is the track, “In Stillness” and pushing further past the quiet is “Shimmering Memories” which like its name indicates inspires memories.
Perhaps the star of the album though is “Live to Tell”. Originally written by Madonna and Pat Leonard, Drifting in Silence takes the broody 80’s hit and reinterprets it into a moody wintery vibe that echoes the potent moments of the original and creates a heavy sadness that is lovely.
Closing out the album, the title track conveys the hope that arises as the snow melts away through the oncoming spring sun and allows the flora, fauna, and humanity to emerge with refreshed souls that have transformed through past winters and will continue to transform through future winters.
Winters Past is a haunting journey through ambient melodies that evoke emotions of solitude, peace, but mostly that of hope.
