Astral Romance by Cornplanter: A Timeless New Age Journey
Released in 1990 under the independent label Cornplanter, Astral Romance is an understated gem in the classical-meets-New Age genre. Hailing from the US, this album offers listeners a serene escape into introspective soundscapes. It’s not flashy or overly produced—just pure, unfiltered piano improvisations that feel like wandering through a dream.
One track that stands out is the titular piece, “Astral Romance.” The moment those first notes drift into your ears, you’re hooked. There’s something almost hypnotic about how Cornplanter lets his fingers wander across the keys without forcing structure onto them. It’s not just music—it’s more like sitting next to someone as they think aloud. You can almost picture stars twinkling faintly above while lying on cool grass somewhere far away from city lights. Weirdly enough, I found myself humming bits of it days later, even though I didn’t realize it at first. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen with every album.
Another standout is “Piano Improvisations,” which sounds exactly like what its title suggests but manages to surprise anyway. Each phrase feels spontaneous yet deliberate, like watching a painter add strokes to a canvas without knowing where it’ll end up. Around the three-minute mark, there’s this subtle shift—a soft cascade of chords—that made me pause whatever else I was doing. It wasn’t dramatic or loud; instead, it was one of those quiet moments that somehow speaks volumes. Honestly, if I had to pick one word for this track, it’d be "honest." No frills, no gimmicks—just raw emotion laid bare.
What makes Astral Romance special isn’t just its technical skill (though let’s give credit where it’s due). It’s how Cornplanter captures fleeting feelings and stretches them out until they become tangible. Listening to this record feels less like hearing music and more like stepping into another world—one where time slows down just enough for you to catch your breath.
And here’s the kicker: despite being over three decades old, the album still feels fresh today. Maybe because we all need a little astral romance now and then—or maybe because good art has no expiration date. Either way, give this one a spin when life gets too loud. Trust me, it works wonders.
