Album Review: [Indistinct Chatter], My Mother's Star

With its moving melodic swells and dreamy soundscapes, it comes as no surprise that this ambient offering has been crafted by a film-maker. Under the moniker [Indistinct Chatter], musician and film-maker Myles O’Reilly returned to his first love during the pandemic, releasing a plethora of ambient tracks over the ensuing 12 months.

To help navigate the multiple lockdowns, Myles – who has filmed, directed and edited videos for the likes of Glen Hansard, Villagers, Sinéad O’Connor, Janelle Monáe and The Staves – embarked on a daily musical voyage. Starting each morning with a meditation on his mother, Myles channelled the grief of her loss by creating sounds informed by the feelings that surfaced. The cinematic title-track ‘My Mother’s Star’ hoists the sail of this lockdown lifeboat. The soothing vibrations of ‘Your Excitement’ are reflective and hopeful, while ‘The Peace You Gave Me’ brings a quiet sense of yearning.

From the beautiful artwork to the evocative song titles, this is a deeply personal and thoughtful album. Recorded in a time of uncertainty and isolation, My Mother’s Star is a welcome embrace, filled with calm and warmth. For those of us in need of some sonic escapism, it’s just what the doctor ordered.