Album Review: Lights Out from Tal Yahalom

Album: Lights Out
Artist: Tal Yahalom
Label: Self-Released
Website: http://www.talyahalom.com

Linking a chain of introspections and mindful reflections transcribed on the acoustic guitar, songwriter/guitarist Tal Yahalom translates his thoughts into musical patterns on his new release Lights Out.  His lyrical riffs shift in weight and resonance, laying down notes that form majestic vistas while occupying space sparsely.  The program on Lights Out gives audiences the impression that his narration speaks about finding one's way in the dark, and reaching a positive destination at the conclusion of the tale.

The lacy guitar strokes lumbering along "Too Sad To See" move at a meditative pace as though contemplating something very heavy that burdens the mind.  Yahalom's acoustic ponderings are lofty without being loud like in "Sleepless."  His ruminations are relatable to a wide audience without making his sound monumental in size.  The tenderness displayed in the melodic swells along "Solace" are quietly bold, able to impact a worldwide audience while being sonically sparse and strummed gently.  The mindful reflections expressed along "Goodbye, For Now" have a sombre tone, anchored by a whispering lull that builds inner strength in the undertow.

A soft voice with an expansive resonance, Tal Yahalom's music is emotive, able to be perceived by listening with one's senses.  An Israeli guitarist and composer based in Brooklyn, New York since 2014, Tal Yahalom explores musical improvisation on the acoustic guitar, projecting a loud voice that resonates widely without sounding loud.  Written and recorded during the COVID-19 shutdowns from July 2020 to September 2020, Yahalom's introspections on acoustic guitar emit brightness through dark and winding passages.

Musicians:
Tal Yahalom: classical & acoustic guitar