BEST NEW CHILL OUT: ACTIVE CHILD TAKES US TO ANOTHER WORLD ON “IN ANOTHER LIFE”

Well folks, the verdict is in: strings are the most beautiful sound in the world. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. That’s just the truth and Active Child proves this concept right on “In Another Life.”

The brainchild of producer Patrick Grossi, Active Child is back! After 2011’s You Are All I See produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, and 2015’s Mercy, we’ve had 5 years of silence (with the exception of 2017’s single “Cruel World”). Now, Active Child has blessed us with a beautiful new album, In Another Life, to comfort and intrigue us through this weird time in history. It’s the perfect time to dive head first into a deeply reflective and introspective album. Besides, what else are you doing right now other than playing Words with Friends and getting lost on TikTok? In Another Life was co-produced by Andrew Sarlo who is known for his work with Big Thief.

IN ANOTHER LIFE - ACTIVE CHILD

On the title track of the new album, Grossi offers us lyrics of profound poetry: “All around us, something bigger / It confounds us.” With layered, choir-like vocals, orchestral instrumentation, electronic elements, and a beat that comes in about halfway through, “In Another Life” is sonically lush and bends genres. What starts out with a classical feel erupts into this kind of futuristic gospel, highlighted by harp flourishes. The song is spacy, but natural and grounding. It feels like floating and being connected at the same time. The music video is full of nostalgia, sunshine, greenery, and an old man flailing- I mean dancing around on his balcony like no one’s watching. There’s something really human about it.

For those who like James Blake and Bon Iver, or those who are searching for intriguing new tracks with beautiful orchestral arrangements, check out the chill tracks on Active Child’s album In Another Life.

Arielle Tindel is a Berklee College of Music student from Cleveland, OH. She will graduate in December with degrees in Music Business Marketing and Songwriting. In her free time, Arielle can be found gardening or playing bass.