Written by Alyssa Barnhill

Marissa Barbato, the creative force behind Entangled Mind, has carved out a place for themselves through their consistent blends of instrumentalism and exceptionally high production standards. Three years after the release of their debut LP, Eternal Motion, they’ve poured their energy into a sophomore album that expands on the thematic psychedelia at the center of the Entangled Mind sound, and reaches new heights against their personal catalog.The Lucid Living LP bridges the gap between emotive and somatic compositions, employing sound as a conduit for fostering connection and introspection.

The album opens with “Ossicle”, featuring the work of flutist Mattie Rosi; a delicate yet powerful composition that effortlessly blends listful flutes and chimes with a pulsating bassline, the result is a auditory painting complete with rich color and hue, evoking dreamlike sensations with every vivid note. “Tree of Life”, suffused with the harmonized tones of violins thanks to Matthew Rennick, introduces semitonal melodies overtop textured bass lines and precision rhythms. The composition is seamless, with each successive phrase paving its respective chunk of the narrative road. Raw and flamboyant. “Ghost Pipe”, a collaboration with Denver based producer Xenolinguist, delves into darker territories with its percussion-heavy arrangement and aggressive psytrance elements. The track's back-and-forth rhythms bounce the perspective between each pocket of tension and pressure. Capped off with “A Sunny Spot”, the relaxing final chords of the album ring out with in tandem with the gentle tones of the baserite flute and table, expertly handled by Eric Fraser and R!llo, respectively, and cladding the collaborative DNA of the record with an amber sendoff. 

Throughout Lucid Living, Entangled Mind offers their vision of a transcendental musical journey. With its intricate compositions and evocative soundscapes, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who chooses to embark on its voyage, and invites listeners to spend time in a state of diligent listening and introspection. Each new project from Barbato’s creative well adds to her repertoire of songs and effusive musical moments, and Lucid Living just the latest taste, with sure more to come.

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