Our very own favorite, your favorite, everyone’s favorite, the amazing Martin Lloyd Howard has come back again. Simply calling him a “guitarist” is such an understatement, not to mention it does a huge disservice to an artist of such caliber. He is one of those amazing composers of sound who uses his classical training to craft tunes with such elegance and skill that no other musician could even think of achieving. If you were lucky enough to hear his amazing composition of “Selene”, a soul-crushing piece of art dedicated to his wife and composed with such beauty that it makes you cry, a man of such immense emotional power has already been known to us. His music doesn’t simply play in the background; it changes the atmosphere of the room, much like his amazingly beautiful “Hidden Andalucia,” which is permanently residing in my mind’s corridors rent-free. And now comes the return of the maestro with more of his amazing creations. The newly released song by Martin Lloyd Howard, “Highland Mist,” released on the 1st of August, will surely blow all your minds away. Let’s get down to details.
As soon as the first note is plucked, the song unfolds in the most delicate and warmest guitar melody that I have ever encountered. It emanates the warmest living energy, an emotional embrace that went right through my barriers and got straight to the deepest parts of my heart, dare I say, brought tears to my eyes. And in that moment that seemed like eternity, as I wiped away a tear, I realized without any doubt that it wasn’t only a song but a music pilgrimage that was about to unfold before me.
In its creation through sheer moments of creative experimentation, it burst forth into life once Howard discovered a fingerstyle chord progression that captured the mysterious calm and untamed wilderness of the Scottish Highlands perfectly. Listen carefully; you can sense it in every single note: a profound sense of tranquility which implies deeply that Howard found a peaceful harmony within himself while playing out these strings. After all, what else in this world would give one an experience like the peaceful sanctuary that only the highlands of Scotland can provide? Indeed, there is simply no comparison anywhere else. For us who have been robbed of the privilege of walking the lands ourselves, Howard brings them to us through his music; through this song, he takes us by hand and takes us to this breathtaking place. Through this song, Howard invites us to join him on this very journey into the sanctuary of the highlands.
Looking at the magic behind the board, the production of this song is a perfect example of an intimate production. Produced in his cozy home loft, Howard has steered clear of overproduction common in the modern age and gone for a completely unadulterated production, where the use of just one Rode NT4 microphone hung nine inches away from the strings of his guitar sufficed. It is a true reflection of the dedication and passion he has to his rawness and the truth about his sound. Instead of considering other configurations simply as studio gimmicks, Howard uses the wide palette offered by the DADGAD tuning in an extremely melodic way to bring out the atmosphere in the Highland environment.
As if it were not enough that we travel by way of sound alone, Howard pulls off his spell through another brilliant act of curation, using an actual image of the Scottish Highlands for the cover of the single. This gives us a visual point of reference to allow our eyes to enjoy the scenery while our ears drift to the music in one smooth journey of imagination and sound. And this is precisely what intentionality in our craft means, and how the ever-gifted Howard has learned to execute flawlessly.
“Highland Mist” is without a doubt one of the most distinct and fascinating entries in the constantly changing collection of Howard’s work. It is an instrumental track that is the perfect showcase of his unique ability to use DADGAD tuning on a Tanglewood steel-string acoustic guitar. Departing from his usual fifty-year-old, handmade classical nylon-string guitar in a bold manner, he uses a different family of instruments to create a true windswept Celtic vibe. Every time I feel that I completely know what Howard is all about, he surprises me by pulling another curtain open and revealing one more amazing side of his immense musical talent. Howard, you are an artist of incredible artistry and genius. And now, tell me, when are you going to grace us with your next creation?
Stream “Highland Mist” on Spotify
Subscribe to Martin Lloyd’s YouTube
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