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Chris Russell — Lumen
(Spotted Peccary SPM-3504, 2026, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-01-27

Lumen Cover art

Lumen: a unit of luminous flux equal to the light emitted in a unit solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle intensity. Often used when describing the light output corresponding to a given power input, for example lumens per watt. The composer’s intent on his fourth Spotted Peccary release, is to illustrate light, which also encompasses shadow and color, in the form of sound, the light being both physical and direct, reflected light, and inner, spiritual light, perhaps at some point where they all converge. The eight tracks herein offer sculptures of sonic beauty that float freely in the aether, dreamlike and sensual immersive experiences where one will find that light, color and shade intrinsically connected in the panorama of space, occasionally ornamented with the pointillism that a piano can provide over a lush bed of synthesizers and electronic effects. Every piece in the set has a unique signature that differs from all the others, and at the same time offers a truly immersive experience. One piece may start in one place and end up in a different space altogether, while the listener flows with the changes effortlessly, absorbing the textures and shimmer that feeds the spirit. Tracks like “Autumn Skyline” and “Spectral Vision” and “Candle Power” stand in contrast to more purely ambient endeavors like “Luminescence,” opener “Particles of Light,” “Light without Heat,” and closing epic “Whisper Moon,” though every piece here contains the essence of beauty in all its illuminated forms, free from cadence, its structure open and free-flowing, drifting slowly in many directions at once, much like light through open space. You’ll want to keep that repeat button handy for multiple passes. Russell nailed it with Lumen.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Chris Russell

More info
http://chris-russell.bandcamp.com/album/lumen

 

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