I don’t always find an album that I enjoy as much as “Illusion of an Inland Ocean” by Eric Angelo Bessel. This 18 track release kept me listening all the way through, and by the end, I was very happy I’d given it my time.
Bessel works with ambient sounds, gentle melodies and layers of electronic texture, creating music that asks you to slow down and pay attention. There are Mellotron tones and guitar sounds woven into the arrangements, but trust me, nothing feels or sounds crowded. Each piece has enough room to shine and the changes happen quietly, without needing big moments to hold your attention. It is an instrumental album but it still gives your mind so much to follow.
You can hear the passion and care behind this work. The sound is captivating, the melodies stay with you, and the production quality is truly impressive. Bessel has a clear understanding of how to shape these sounds and bring them together across a full album. I found myself drawn to “Pathways”, “Cistern” and “After 8 PM”. Each caught my attention in its unique way, and they are the tracks I would happily replay over and over.
Listening to all 18 pieces in one sitting this morning was a real pleasure. The record needs close listening. Bessel has mastered this kind of music and the quality of the work speaks for itself. I loved spending time with this album and it is one I can see myself putting on again when I want to get lost in its sounds.
