Album Review: Bird – Wider Than The Sky (Original motion Picture Soundtrack)

‘Wider Than The Sky‘ is the soundtrack album to the multi-award winning short film by Renowned multi-instrumentalist and singer songwriter, BIRD. Known for her use of a diverse musical palette and exceptional ability to blend genres seamlessly, BIRD’s latest offering showcases elements of atmospheric electronic dream-pop and contemporary folk, again solidifying her reputation as an innovative one-woman force in the world of music and film scoring.

Janie Price aka ‘BIRD‘ started her classical music training on cello aged six and consequently played in UK youth orchestras before beginning her professional career aged 18 with her first recording session composing and recording strings for a UK rap act. Bird’s skill as a classically trained musician, has also led to various successful stints as a session musician and writer; she has composed and recorded string sections for the likes of Just Jack and played live with Brit and Ivor Novello award winning songstress Emeli Sandé, as well as touring with artists including the internationally acclaimed violinist Vanessa Mae. She is a voting member of PRS, Ivors Academy, World Soundtrack Awards and Alliance for Women Film Composers.

“Wider Than The Sky” is a semi autobiographical short film that explores the impact of childhood parental illness, and how the extraordinary power of our imagination can help a child deal with these traumatic events. Bird’s hauntingly beautiful compositions serve as the perfect companion to the film’s visual storytelling, creating a seamless synergy between music and cinema. The album features a mix of instrumental themes, and four full length songs from from which some of the themes are derived.

Trailer: Wider Than The Sky

The Album provides a mesmerising backdrop to the short film that has been winning awards all over the world. The album features 4 full length songs and instrumental themes and interludes from the film score and is BIRD’s 5th studio album, co produced with Mike Hedges,.

‘Wider Than The Sky‘ has already won several awards including “Best Composer/Soundtrack” at the Global Music Awards, “Best Cinematography” Bay Festival, UK, “Best Short Drama” at the prestigious Aviva/Performance Film & Media Insurance Awards and most recently in the USA, Best Outstanding Drama at the Short Sweet Film Festival, Best Short at the Maryland International Film Festival and Best Family Friendly Short at The Oxford Film Festival.

Check out: The Single ‘She’ll Turn To Stone‘

Verdict: The album begins with delicately beautiful instrumentals that portray a playfully melancholy tone, some of which, using rich string arrangements allow them to rise up above the layers of uncertainty giving a sense of hope and wonder to the overall pensive mood. The ‘Theme’ instrumentals cleverly have echos of what is to come, as we progress towards the anticipated song section of the album. The mood has been set when our journey arrives at the vocal section of the release, and the dreamy vocals only add to the vividness of the emotions coursing through the heart of the album. Musically sublime, Janie Price has crafted a gem that should not go undiscovered, track it down.

Track List:

1. Intro (Theme)
2. Happy Birthday (Theme)
3. Classroom Waltz (Theme)
4. The Box (Theme)
5. Café Radio (Theme)
6. Magic (Theme)
7. Discovery (Theme)
8. Cello Showtime (Theme)
9. The Tides
10. She’ll Turn To Stone
11. What The Night Knows
12. She’s Like A Rainbow

BIRD will be supporting her soundtrack album release with launch events in London and Manchester and throughout the summer with a series of live shows including festival appearances at ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Black Deer Festival’.

Out Now on all reputable streaming services but track down the beautiful limited Vinyl edition.