To Believe

“To Believe” The Cinematic Orchestra
Founding member, Jason Swinscoe, and longtime musical collaborator, Dominic Smith, are back with the English group’s first album since 2007’s acclaimed breakthrough, “Ma Fleur.” This is exquisite, lush, jazzy, sometimes soulful, orchestral electronica, which is difficult to categorize by genre. Most of the tracks would lend themselves to the soundtrack of a movie, TV show or ad. “To Build A Home,” from the Cinematic Orchestra’s 2007 album, has been used this way dozens of times — hence the name “cinematic.” Exceptional release…will fit into a lot of shows.
— Francis

Recommended: 1, 2, 7, 6, 5. No FCCs noted.

1. (5:28) To Believe (feat. Moses Sumney) — Peaceful and soulful. Airy and warm, starting with guitar or piano under longing and soulful male vocals, often harmonized — building into big orchestral crescendos. First single. ****
2. (6:55) A Caged Bird/Imitations of Life (feat. Roots Manuva) — Jazzy, with a hip groove. Cool electronic rhythm track, handclaps, piano, vocals almost spoken. Resolves into a wistful orchestral passage, and then ends with a bit of meandering piano, synth and quiet words. ****
3. (9:07) Lessons — Long, lively jam incorporating off-kilter rhythms that gallop along, electronic loops, uplifting strings, some guitar, and melodic keys. No vocals.
4. (7:11) Wait For Now/Leave The World (feat. Tawiah) — Beautiful, heartfelt love song. Halting pace. Keys and strings with gorgeous female vocals. Finishes with several minutes of a shimmering synth soundscape.
5. (6:17) The Workers Of Art — Inspiring instrumental. Swirling, sometimes soaring orchestral movements enveloping pulsing synth chords, piano and other keyboards. **
6. (7:04) Zero One/This Fantasy (feat. Grey Reverend) — More folky and emotionally deeper at times. Prominent strummed guitar, layered with mysterious and playful synths, and orchestral strings. Rich male vocals. ***
7. (11:35) A Promise (feat. Heidi Vogel) — Thrilling closer. Fragile and vulnerable at the start, building into an intense, edgy mix of reverbed loops and rhythm toward the end. Jazzy female vocals. Epic length. ****