David Wahler – Carried Away

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“If the listeners aren’t carried away to Heaven, I’m failing,” La Monte Young once said. Listening to David Wahler’s new single Carried Away, I’m happy to report that he is able to deliver just that: a piece of Heaven. Thanks to Wahler’s melodic talent and ultra-light arrangements, it feels like being carefully lifted by a warm breeze, to a safe and comforting place far from the troubles of everyday life. Carried Away will brighten any playlist of quality New Age music.

Listen to the single on HearNow.

David Wahler began his musical career at the age of 7 playing the piano “by ear”. Early years of summer music clinics and academies at various universities culminated in his studying piano performance at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music; Mannes College of Music in New York; and Berklee College of Music, Boston. David released his first album, Antiquus, in the spring of 2009. Then followed A Star Danced (2010), Secret Dream (2012) and Spiritus (2015). His album Mosaic was honored with Zone Music Award’s Best Relaxation/Meditation album of 2018 at the award concert in New Orleans in May of 2019. After that, Two Hearts (2019) and Currents (2021) followed.

Wahler’s new album Collection has just been released – and a single from it, Invictus, is currently no. 3 on the New Age Music Chart. In my review, I wrote that: “To me, the ten pieces on Collection have a lot in common with short stories. Their narrative is something that the listener immediately picks up on, even subconsciously. You don’t have to, as with Wahler’s previous albums, listen actively “to get it.” He is able to communicate on many different levels, often at the same time. That is, in my book, a hallmark of a great artist. Thanks to its atmosphere and variation in sound, Collection has high replay value. I also believe it communicates the zeitgeist of our time wonderfully.”

Sample the single and find it on your favorite streaming service:
 

Carried Away
When Carried Away starts playing, we are introduced to an electric piano playing scales. It plays throughout the single, but you notice it the most in the introduction. It fades into the background as new elements are introduced. But when you look more closely, you will see that it is actually this scale that makes the melody stand out. I’m tempted to say that it, the scale, is the lifting force – the carrier itself. How marvelous! It is this kind of finesse or treasure, you find when studying David Wahler’s music.

As we are lifted, musically and metaphorically speaking, more and more elements are added. First, a bell-like synth, which sounds heavenly, then Rhodes keys and, lastly, some very analog-sounding strings. These are a bit sharp, but they are the contrast the melody needs so not to be too sugary sweet. To me, Carried Away is a profoundly positive piece. It radiates love, warmth and comfort. Put it on replay, and it becomes a soundscape you can spend your day in.

As much as I love Carried Away on the album, I think it is even better as a single. Instead of being a “mood lifter”, it is even more pretty as a standalone track. It makes its delicate qualities – such as the melody, selection of instruments and lovely atmosphere – stand out.

Carried Away by David Wahler is, in short, an incredibly rewarding listen! We all need to be carried away sometimes – and this moving and heart-warming piece delivers on its promise from the first few notes.

For more information and music samples, see davidwahler.com

Collection – which includes Carried Away – is now playing on New Age Stars Radio!