Living Pictures releases new album

Living Pictures’ debut album Crossing the Bridge is a masterpiece of modern electronic music, creating a cinematic soundscape that immerses listeners in a world of imagination and emotion. Based between Portland and Washington D.C., Living Pictures is a duo consisting of Reif Larsen and Andrew Perreault, have drawn inspiration from artists like Brian Eno, Chromatics and Nils Frahm to craft a stunningly original sonic experience that transports listeners on a journey through nine emotional states.

The record is framed by the narrative of a person putting on their headphones and riding the subway at night; as the train rattles down a mysterious tunnel not shown on the map, the listener is guided through a series of dreamlike experiences that correspond to each emotional state. From the hopeful “Persistent Dreams”, where a couple watches the sunset across a frozen lake, to the introspective “The Sleepwalker”, where the man enters a semi-lucid space of muted cool tones and pockets of warmth, the album is a journey through the human condition.

Another standout track on the album is “Biodome”, which takes the listener on a journey to a new place where the trees are lush and peppered with dew, and strange birds call in curious tunes. Layers of undergrowth cover ancient secrets, hidden beneath bizarre foliage and peaty earth. Something fascinating and ominous is just around the corner, but for now, the beautiful setting and the sound of the animals that call it home carry the listener away to someplace euphoric and enchanting.

Throughout the album, Living Pictures masterfully blends driving electronic grooves with immersive cinematic ambience to create a moving soundtrack that superimposes layers of fantastic imagery over daily experiences. The duo’s multi-instrumental talents shine brightly, with organic instrumentation like piano and guitar are layered over electronic beats and synths.

But what truly sets Crossing the Bridge apart is its hidden symmetry. The album is divided into three acts, each with its own lead track, but there are also subtle links and arching connections between the songs throughout the LP. The result is a cohesive and well-crafted listening experience that rewards repeated listens.

Overall, Living Pictures’ debut album Crossing the Bridge is a stunning achievement in modern electronic music. The duo’s mastery of delicate grooves, ethereal ambience and organic instrumentation creates a sonic world that immerses listeners in a sea of imagination and emotion.

Commenting on the album, Reif shares, “The music that I started was music the way I wanted to make music, a small act of resistance against regimented creative office culture. I wrote them all for an audience of one, maybe a couple people. It was exciting collaborating with Andrew during the pandemic and putting these tracks together into a thoughtful journey. Releasing the album now for us also mirrors that pandemic experience a bit – emerging from isolation with raggedy confidence to just got for it.”

With Andrew adding, “My preferred listening form will always still be an album. So when Reif began sharing individual tracks and stories with me around the beginning of the pandemic, it was a goal to try connect them all into a larger, cinematic journey. It’s been a thrill for both of us releasing singles and edits the last few months, but we are just grateful to get a full album out there. People should and will listen to music how they want. But we hope this more complete form resonates in some way.”

Listen to Crossing the Bridge below

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