Nailah Hunter - Forest Dwelling (2022)

Leaving Records' Nailah Hunter submerges gentle harp recordings and subtle field recordings in a healing bath of droning synths.

Following April's short and sweet 'Forest Dark', the Los Angeles-based harpist and producer spins a more extended expression on "Forest Dwelling". Anyone who's heard her compositions before should know broadly what to expect, but operating in long form Hunter's interest in synth-based minimalism and classic DIY new age bubbles to the surface completely.

The track begins with harp and synth, but the harp elements become less and less pronounced, first reversing to shift the sound and then dissolving in a bed of reverb. The synth drones sound as if they barely change at all, but barely audible environmental recordings help animate the soundscape, creating subtle audio illusions.

It's psychedelic, absorbing material that should appeal to fans of Steve Roach, Mary Lattimore or Julianna Barwick.