Roots of Empathy by Henry Cyer

Henry Cyer’s debut album Roots of Empathy is experimental ambient intent on making you just a little nervous. This instrumental album excels in telling scenic and expressive stories with disparate elements like droning vocal synths that resemble a firetruck siren, blasts that could either be gunshots or fireworks (I know, I know,) and interstellar zipping. In the case of the opening track, this free ambient chaos is eventually arranged into identifiable looping rhythms as bass begins thrumming and additional synth overtones lead the once random noises in an almost-musical direction.

The illustrative title track evokes literal tree roots creaking, emoting, and changing over time while subsequent songs heavily feature human groans caught between pained grunts and chant singing. The feeling of extreme discomfort is paired with wailing, thudding, and a high buzzing noise, just in case you weren’t disoriented enough before. There isn’t one distinct climax throughout the record, and although it flows nicely, it is also clear that each track has its own specific musical and narrative arc. Roots of Empathy is a highly interpretive and thoughtful piece that hones the ability to project both the personal and impersonal, the disorienting yet meditative, and the uncomfortable yet familiar. This could be a warzone or a celebration; it is both and neither.