Helios ‎– Eingya

Keith Kenniff has managed to create a simple and touching album with every second having its own life. The cover exactly reflects the overall album's mood - serene and romantic. Gentle live instruments are combined with soft crunchy beats and lush synths to produce a deep memorable effect. For example, the way a lonesome sound in the beginning of track 2 streams through piano chords still makes me want to cry, though I'm not a too emotional person. The melodies are harmonically shaped and hardly seem to go anywhere, but you can't get rid of that feeling of sweet melancholy they bring. This CD would make a perfect gift for your beloved one or serve as a soundtrack to intimate pastime without putting you into trance-like condition. And you don't need to be an "electronic head" to feel how powerful Eingya is.

I recently discovered the sonic paradise of Helios through this release. Some music is meant as a form of therapy, the salve for your soul that hits you in just the right way to transport your emotions into their own zone. It's been quite a while since anything has touched me musically so deeply and so immediately. Eingya is by far my favorite ambient release of the year. A must-have.

Before writing this review, I was thorn. I couldn't decide if I felt that enygia was either elevator music or one of the most interesting ambient record of all time. After the third time I heard it, I've decided not to care. Because if you stop thinking and start to feel, you're hearing the sound of times you were happy and how far they are now from you and how far these moments of happinnes will be. If Fernando Pessoa would have made a record, this is how it would sound like.

Enygia is a heck of a record, everybody has to buy that record.

this record works. every single track on it just works: on all levels, on every day, its way into your head. so why is it that this release is picked up by so many people, and even more so people that dont usually listen to ambient?
well for one it is keith kenniff's genius when it comes to composing - it is otherworldly. secondly, its his choice of instrumentation, a subtle and graceful balance of electronics and acoustics, that wont hurt anybodys feelings. and last but not least, the album is overwhelming on a long-term basis because it is so lowkey, almost timid. its like a silent companion, sitting down next to you, listening to you. this album actually listens to you; that is his real achievement.
definitely one of those albums i never forgot in the past 5 years, and one i wont forget in the future. it really is a part of me now. kudos to you, keith.

"Eingya" is quite a bit evolved compared to Helios' previous album, "Unomia". Most evident is the fact that these are actual individual tracks, and don't all blend into eachother like last time (don't get me wrong though, I loved the first album and it's style). The elements are all here... piano, acoustic guitar and a side of electronica. The greatness of this album doesn't fully hit you until track 6 where some vocals kick in. Very memorable and so different sounding then anyone else in the genre. There is no doubt that Keith is an expert at what he does and its pretty obvious that he takes his time and thinks out every little aspect of his tracks. I do dare say that this album tops his debut. IDM/downtempo/ambient fans will want to get a hold of this one ASAP.

Another beautiful album from Helios, very delicate sounds merge together to create a beautifully atmospheric album, an excellent use of a variety of instruments. There is a good reason why this has been given 5/5 by so many, even if you haven’t heard this LP, or anything by Helios, I implore you to buy it if you enjoy Kettle, Boards of Canada, or Ulrich Schnauss. I don’t do many reviews anymore but I was compelled to review this masterpiece. Highly recommended.