Review Summary: Nyctophilia = The condition of being very happy and comfortable in the dark
Meadow Grove is an exceptionally prolific ambient/dungeon synth project from Finland, having already enriched the year with six releases so far. Beyond the high abundance of albums, Meadow Grove's discography boasts a highly diverse musical palette, featuring a wide range of subtypes within the ambient and dungeon synth genres. The album
Nyctophilia embodies the characteristics of the micro-genre known as winter synth.
In brief, winter synth is a branch of dungeon synth that emerged in the late 1990s, though the term itself was coined just in 2013. It shares significant overlap with dark ambient and drone genres due to its slowness and minimalism. However, it is distinguished by its ethereal, cold, yet crystal-clear sound (from the use of "synth pad" synthesizers) and its iconic winter themes (on album covers and in track titles, for example).
Nyctophilia stands out as a remarkable work in how beautifully it showcases nearly every aspect of the style. The opening track, “As I Walk Into the Winter Night”, is a hypnotic piece built on a simple drum pattern. It is cold yet captivating, leading the listener deeper and deeper into a mystical winter night with every passing minute. Despite its highly minimalist foundation, this track is far from monotonous, as the atmosphere continuously evolves through the metamorphosis of various melodies and instruments. Structurally, the album is also very well-balanced. “The Air Is Cold” celebrates the melancholic minimalism of the genre with its slow, flowing pace (I’d highlight the string instruments, which gave this track some emotional depth). Meanwhile, tracks like “And the Moon Is My Light” and “Thus My Want of Serenity Is Fulfilled” clearly reveal the influence of classic dungeon synth artists (notably Lamentation and Secret Stairways), but perfectly blended with the enchanting magic of winter synth.
Nyctophilia is an album that can bring a touch of color to bleak winter evenings, enhancing them with its captivating melodies and infinitely serene atmosphere. Highly recommended for relaxation!
