Clash Valian Spread Their Wings On Their New Album, “Degrees of Freedom”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
If you are looking for new music to soundtrack your life, Crash Valian NEEDS to be in your rotation.
Clash Valian is the brainchild of Greg Merrell. With years of experience, Clash Valian has crafted captivating records that range from contemporary compositions, ethereal soundscapes, and garage-forged rock songs. Now, they debut on our pages with their latest album “Degrees of Freedom”.
“Degrees of Freedom” is a 21-track album that is carried by exceptional vocals, captivating instrumentation, and lyrics that evoke raw emotions. This album is Clash Valian’s magnum opus, and it showcases the raw talent of Merrell. His ability to capture the moment while blending elements of ethereal pop, rock, and lounge music make this album an experimental masterpiece. The album features over 20+ different instruments on 21 songs that are all self-written and recorded by Merrell himself. In addition, although the album is very cohesive sonically, I loved the different themes he highlighted on the album. “Degrees of Freedom” is a progressive album that is pushing musical boundaries forward.
My favorite songs were “Moonlander” & “Dragon’s Backbone”. I loved the ethereal/spacey feel of “Moonlander”. Sonically, the record was executed well, and the hook was memorable. The record discusses the longing and yearning of home clashing with the allure of the unknown. “Dragons Backbone” was my personal favorite. I was impressed by the vocal contribution from Gretchen Swanson. Her vocal range and control are otherworldly. The record was sung in English and Mandarin depicting a transition between linguistic barriers. This is a song of unity and diversity. Overall, this has been one of my favorite projects this year. Clash Valian plan on having an album release party on April 7th at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle so make sure to stream and make it out there!
