Album Review: Liminal by Chris Donaldson & Robert King
Alright, so let’s talk about Liminal. Released in 2015 by Chris Donaldson and Robert King under the label Starved Relations, this electronic ambient album is one of those hidden gems you stumble upon when you’re not even looking. It’s like finding a cool little café on a random street—unexpected but totally worth it.
First off, the vibe of Liminal is super chill. Like, “cancel all your plans and just zone out” kind of chill. If you’re into ambient music that feels more like a mood than a playlist, this is your jam. The fact that it’s from the US adds an interesting layer too—it’s got that subtle experimental edge without being too pretentious. You know what I mean?
Now, onto the tracks. Obviously, the title track “Liminal” stands out. It’s kinda haunting but also comforting, if that makes sense? The synths are soft, almost like they’re breathing with you, and there’s this underlying pulse that keeps things moving without rushing you. There were moments where I forgot I was listening to music because it blended so well with whatever I was doing—whether it was staring out the window or pretending to meditate (spoiler: I suck at meditating). But hey, maybe that’s the point. It doesn’t demand your attention; it just exists alongside you, which is rare these days.
Another track that stuck with me—and honestly, I didn’t see it coming—was “Drift.” At first, it felt like background noise, but then these tiny details started popping up. Little glitches here, faint echoes there—it’s like the song was revealing itself bit by bit. By the end, I realized I’d been sitting still for ten minutes straight, just soaking it in. Weird, right? But isn’t that what good ambient music should do? Make you stop scrolling Instagram and actually feel something?
One thing I gotta say, though—this album isn’t for everyone. If you’re someone who needs lyrics or big drops to stay engaged, you might find it a bit… blah. But if you’re cool with letting sounds wash over you without needing a narrative, you’ll dig it. Honestly, Liminal feels like a soundtrack for introspection—or maybe just lying on the floor wondering why life is so weird sometimes.
Final thought: Listening to this album made me realize how much we overlook silence—or near-silence—in our lives. And yeah, sure, it’s just music, but man, it’s nice to have something that reminds you it’s okay to slow down once in a while. Oh, and fun fact—I listened to it during a power outage, and it somehow made the darkness less creepy. Take that however you want.
