Electronic music has never sounded so peaceful and surreal as it does at the hands of British artists Dobs Vye and James Reynolds, also known as Public Symphony. One of the great minds behind artists like BT and Dido, Vye’s original role was as Reynolds’ manager. Not long after working together, the two decided to combine their talents to form their own act. Their latest work, Inspire, is a digitally remixed and remastered version of the duo’s debut album, originally released in 2005. This time around the group has elevated an already exceptional and highly praised album to create a sultry, seductive masterpiece of sound. The whole album gives you that sense of much needed calm, the collective sigh required to continue through life’s twists and turns—a true testament to the album’s title.

 

The duo’s work on this album has produced a much more elusive and empowering version of an already powerful set of tracks. The result is a contemporary soundtrack to life and every emotion experienced throughout its course: love, loss, defeat, mourning, anguish and moving on. In the case of “Wings,” the opening track to Inspire, what might seem like a song of utter hopelessness is instantly consoled by the second track, “Stronger,” a beautiful and inspirational ballad that soothes the soul and renews your sense of well-being.

Many associate the word “electronic” with a sound characteristic of trance or house music. This group, however, melds electronic elements with alternative rock, combining the two into a symphony of sounds that empowers listeners. Public Symphony corrects common misconception of electronic music. In doing so, they lay out a whole new underworld of simplistic, spiritual and inspirational sounds that will make for new fans not only of Vye and Reynolds, but of the genre as a whole. A | Jennifer Manjarez

 

RIYL: Coldplay, Keane