“Wind From Mountains” by Chihei Hatakeyama (feat. Nailah Hunter)

As its title suggests, the latest album from noted ambient composer/producer Chihei Hatakeyama was inspired by his experiences with lucid dreaming. He writes:

For the past two years or so, I have suffered from insomnia at times such as when the seasons change, and at those times all I can think about is wanting to sleep. However, when I’m in that state and I go through repeated light sleep, I can experience a state of “Lucid dreams” where I can’t tell whether I’m dreaming or not, and am aware that I am dreaming. One aspect of this album is that it was inspired by that state of light sleep.

Hatakeyama’s music has always been nothing if not dreamy, but “Wind From Mountains” is particularly so thanks to the softly chiming sounds, gently kaleidoscopic tones, and yearning drones that he coaxes from his guitars alongside harpist Nailah Hunter (herself no stranger to dreamy music).

The song’s incredibly serene nature evokes a remote meditative space where one can watch the rhythms of nature unfold, free from the confines and demands of society.

Lucid Dreams will be released by First Terrace Records on January 24, 2025.