Martin Lloyd Howard Evokes Reflection and Subtle Beauty With “Unanswered”
The evocative and reflective new release, "Unanswered, " from the talented guitarist Martin Lloyd Howard of Reigate, England, is a captivating experience for the attentive ear. The original solo classical guitar piece of the trio immediately ushers the audience into an introspective realm where melodic sensitivity intertwines with the intricately structured chords to manifest the very essence of an atmospheric paradox, the feeling of closeness yet the vastness of the universe at the same time. In keeping with his classical background, Howard achieves a high level of artistry in "Unanswered" through the purity of the sound, precision of the rhythm, and the minimum of the expressive manner.
The song is dominated by the slow and reflective tempo, whereby every syllable is fully audible; thus, the audience is allowed to delve into the great emotional profundity of the music. In duet with this thoughtful atmosphere, it is the 50-year-old classical guitar of Howard that brings a nice, clear, and bright sound to the recording. The dissection of the piece reveals an elegant balance between melody and harmony to evoke the feeling of the unsolved questions suspended in the air, an enigmatic mixture of uncertainty and inquisitiveness that encourages the listener to replay and gradually discover the depths of the composition.
Howard’s accomplishments served him well in the making of the “Unanswered” track. The piece is deeply rooted in the proper technique of the classical guitar, but the artist's works in three other fields, folk, blues, and rock, have their impact on his use of phrasing and dynamics. This blend of genres that Howard explores makes the work communicative not only to the classical aficionados but also to the casual seeker of thoughtful instrumental music with a touch of emotiveness. Besides that, Howard's collaboration with artists like Mark Johnson from The Midnight River Crew is just one example of his versatility, and "Unanswered" is a perfect reflection of his firmness in which he retains a distinctly personal voice by drawing from diverse influences.
“Unanswered” is also a good example of the artist achieving a delicate balance between simplicity and complexity in the music. Certainly, the piece is good for comfort listening, study, or reflection; however, the listener attentive to subtle changes in tempo, tone, and phrasing will find the piece fascinating. It occupies a unique position in today's solo guitar works with a focus on the increasing demand for emotionally engaging, classically based, instrumental pieces stemming from the middle ground of the genre.
Howard’s “Unanswered” piece exemplifies the fine art of Martin Lloyd Howard and his ability to create intellectually and emotionally inspiring music. The calm mood of this release is just one aspect of it, the other being a journey of the mind, the audio capturing the beauty of the questions left unanswered. The work of the artist is something to which the solo guitar, as well as the reflective instrumental music fan, can annot afford to turn a blind eye.
