Living Pictures’ album, “Crossing the Bridges,” is an immersive and captivating instrumental electronic journey through the emotional and psychological states of the human mind. The album is a testament to the duo’s uniquely imaginative and experimental approach to their sound and the diverse influences that have shaped their sound. Inspired by artists like Brian Eno, Chromatics, Nils Frahm, Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, Nick Cave, and Warren Ellis, “Crossing the Bridges” takes the listener on a surreal and mysterious journey through the subconscious.
The album is framed as a person putting on their headphones and riding the subway at night. As the train rattles down a mysterious tunnel, the listener is guided through nine different emotional states, each corresponding to a place and a set of imagery. The album is divided into three acts, each exploring different themes and ideas. From the ominous and pulsating “No Headlights” to the more luscious and chirpy “Crystal Palace,” “Crossing the Bridges” is a sonic and emotional tour de force.
The album was a collaborative effort between Living Pictures founder Reif Larsen and producer Andrew Perreault. Reif began the tracks between 2015 and 2019 as a representation of his journeys through young adulthood. He handed them off to Andrew during the pandemic. With two young children and coming out of a recently broken up DC rock band where he played guitar, Andrew was eager for a project such as this. He was heavily inspired by film structure and method acting and immersed himself in Reif’s original narratives, thereby expanding and reimagining the tracks into a complete cinematic journey of three acts and hidden symmetry.
Each piece is loaded with so many tiny sonic oddities, such a myriad of choices that give a weight, a depth, and an emotion to each piece. It never feels minimal even when it is quiet, always choosing to fill your headphones or speaker with so many tiny elements that while not immediately discernible, definitely play a part in your processing of it all. Dexterous and dreamy, this is a wonderful piece of experimental music.