8/10

Throughout his illustrious career to date, Swedish composer Le Days has always sought the broader and more immersive aesthetics than many in his field. Using little more than a piano to create his grand and immersive textures, his tenure to date has been this wildly explorative one as he looks to tap into the raw and intimate emotion of his listeners to deliver something truly profound at any opportunity. And with his recent run of releases rekindling much of that magic, he returns with his latest studio album 'Are You Here?', a record that builds upon his dynamic pursuits to date.

Opening up with the wonderfully emotive 'Life', this thirteen-track collection aims to project some beautifully endearing moments. Moving much in the same vein as his stripped-back and atmospheric material over the years, 'Are You Here?' finds him in a more contemplative guise, seeking a richer and more captivating tone as it plays. The result is a brilliantly conceived array of rich and passionate compositions that not only highlight the progressive nature of his work, but also adds a layer of brevity to it, channelling an almost haunted appeal from beginning to end.

While these last few years have certainly been an impactful time for him, 'Are You Here?' shows he is still brimming with plenty of bold and innovative ideas in which to pursue. Shimmering and pensive in equal measure, Le Days continues to ascend as one of the more compelling pianists in the world right now.