More often than not, many ambient musicians are unable to creatively utilize the advances of the modern, technological world, which results in tedious and mundane releases. Since my introduction to ambient music several years ago, my appreciation of the talent and devotion of the few artists who are able to find a special niche within this genre has only increased.  There are days where my soul becomes ignited in just the right spot from listening to ambient, when nothing would give me more pleasure than to solely listen to this type of music for the rest of my days.  While great ambient can reveal a narrative of sound, I think the connection may be much simpler than that sometimes.  Like a fellow staff writer explained in this review, experimental ambient can be for those who need to escape the chaos the modern, globalized world has created, with its endless media outlets and constant reminders that we're all supposed to be doing something productive.  Ambient is designed to be a release from that world. 

Those who are familiar with d_rradio are probably wondering at this point why in the world I am rambling on about ambient when the band's modest amount of material has traditionally been focused on chilled, glitch beat electronica.  Assuming a low profile in the UK, this group of musicians have barely any information about them to be found, thus relaying who they are through their music.  Leaves is an extraordinary new release from this band that sees a major shift away from their previous upbeat sound.  Loaded with almost two and a half hours spread over two CDs, d_rradio have crafted a masterpiece of drone-based ambient for those who need a release from the daily routines of life, really taking the time to share some ideas and thoughts about what life should really be about: living.  Coincidentally, the one piece of useful information I was able to find about d_rradio (short for Death Row Radio) is that their music is shaped around providing "comfort and light to the most dark and difficult hours, and to make you feel alive." Those last six words really make all the difference.    

Comfort and light is most certainly apparent in the first disc of Leaves.  When "Into The Morning" began to play for the first time, I had to stop and make sure I wasn't listening to something new from Matthew Robert Cooper himself.  To listen to this breathtakingly gorgeous path through piano and static layers of otherworldly soundscapes and not feel your heart sink is to truly lack life.  The highlights are the enduring tracks, allowing d_rradio to determine how to adapt their clear ambient influences with their modern technological skills to forge some of the year's most high-quality atmospheric splendor.  On "Sound as Ever", the subtle piano fighting through the drone conjures up the final moments of life while bringing the track to a comfortably blissful close, idyllic and serene.  While the first disc was a steady, fascinating listen on the lighter side of things, peaceful and yet tragic, the second disc of Leaves reigns in immediate darkness, displaying the darker side of life that d_rradio is compelled to describe through emotive drone.

Listeners who enjoy Eluvium, Stars of the Lid and Tim Hecker, some of the greatest modern ambient artists, will thoroughly take pleasure in the depths of Leaves.  Ranging from graceful, beautiful ambience to dark, dour drone, d_rradio's fresh musical direction is a shining fleet of sounds in an expansive genre of sometimes boring output.  For those wanting to escape the ordinary, stressful daily routines of life, Leaves is a perfect accompaniment to get away, clear your thoughts, and feel alive.

-Brett Hayes