A concept album that’s as ambitious as it is impressive, Croptal’s exploration into a multitude of different instrumental arrangements and choices on “Variations” leaves you entirely floored as a listener both from its scale but also from its emotional layers. There’s a flow to the record, moving from the first opening piano theme into several other variations that each fall and build from the predecessors. As you move through it, you can see the creativity that’s been employed, the innovation behind the concept itself, and the dexterity behind each piece’s technical wizardry as well.
A delectably medley of classical, electronic, folk, and a whole lot more, it’s every bit as traditional as it is forward thinking and genre defying. Croptal is breaking waves on “Variations”, concocting new modes and methods to his craft and delivering a record that’s bound to evoke a response or at least intrigue from the listener. My personal favourite came in the Woodwinds interpolation, coming through in track five. The synths and samples version was also quite exciting to hear.
The album as a whole is a beautiful blend of traditional and modern elements, with Croptal’s masterful production skills on full display. Each track feels like a new and exciting journey, with the artist expertly weaving together different sounds and styles to create a cohesive and captivating listening experience. The use of live instrumentation and orchestral elements add a depth and richness to the sound that is often lacking in electronic music. The inclusion of “Blacksmith” as a variation is a particularly clever and effective choice, as it adds a sense of familiarity and grounding to the album, while still fitting seamlessly into the overall outlandish yet evergreen concept. Overall, “Variations” is a masterful and ambitious work that showcases Croptal’s talents as a musician and producer. Fans of neo-classical, electronic, and experimental music should definitely give this instrumental journey a listen.
It is as artful as it majestic.