Numb Project’s A Space Between takes listeners on a placid journey through mellow beats, energetic sounds, and sentimental sentiments. Produced by Portland producer Chris Calarco, features 12 songs showcasing A Space Between expertly layering downtempo, lo-fi, ambient, and chill hip-hop together for an inviting and reflective listen.
With “A Monkst, the first song from A Space Between, people are instantly transported into fabulous waves of shimmering synths and gentle beats. Starting from piano and dreamy beats “A Monkst” kicks off the album with a calm ambience that subtly brings the listener on board for the other tracks of the album. The second track, “All Souls,” keeps up that tranquil environment with its sleight of hand lo-fi and sophisticated sound.
Arguably, the most interesting one is “Bloom”, when Calarco skillfully juxtaposes the textures of space with slow, unyielding pulse. The effect is a calming and thoughtful ambiance that serves quite appropriately for quiet periods for relaxation or serious introspection. As the record continues, “Bowling for Time” brings new liveness without losing the relaxing atmosphere it first started with.
The album ends with the song “5AM” that synthsits out to the end peacefully. Soothing, peaceful ambience is created by soft textures and gentle percussion that places softly – as the final whisper that should end the album.
It is the measured choice of each sound that makes A Space Between an outstanding album in the first place. Calarco and his gathering of mixers and mastering engineers weave together each track in a gentle analog mesh and light drum patterns. The silence and space present in the album convey emotions just how decisively as the pieces of music do.
Finally, A Space Between goes beyond the primary purpose of music. It invites you to fully dive in, pause, and take a deep breath to think to yourself what’s inside. Preferably winding down in the evening after a long day or starting your day gently and just looking for a calm retreat this album is perfect for you. A Space Between should be experienced, not listened to.
