‘Call to Stillness’ does precisely what it sets out to. The ambient instrumental record from Jannek is so intricately layered but subtle in its execution. You’re left entirely transfixed, as your headphones barrage subtleties in your ear that take you on a sonic journey where you’re darting from left to right, top to bottom, all in a hypnotic journey that leaves you in a state of deep flow. Complete tranquillity, elation, and sublime bliss is all imparted on to you should you let the instruments take you where they may. There’s no need or room for words on a record like this. It sets the path for you to follow, as you explore it through the guiding hand of the arrangement.
What’s most impressive about ‘Call To Stillness’ is its ability to package so much while never once being overbearing or obnoxious. Take the opening piece, ‘Dyer Point’, for instance. It starts from absolute quite, minimal and restrained. But towards its end, it allows itself to build into something large, something grandiose, an opulence that feels deserved for the tension it manages to create. Other pieces like ‘The Humble Guardian’ also hit zeniths that leave you overwhelmed and entirely transfixed. The more prominent inclusion of the acoustic guitar on this piece is particularly hypnotizing.
‘Call To Stillness’ is simply remarkable. It’s far from ‘background music’. It’s cinematic and opulent, but also minimal when it needs to be. A remarkable album to completely surrender yourself to.