I cannot believe that it was 1992 when I came across my first ever 2002 album, which was of course called Wings, and as a European, New Age music back then was something utterly different from the pop culture surrounding my ears and mind at the time, here was a growing panacea of sound that would change me personally forever, and I have 2002 to thank for that. Some 34 years older, I now have the absolute honour to dive deep into the realm of Wings III: Ambient Bliss, this is without doubt a timeless collection of high quality real music, but more about that throughout this review.
The opening offering is delectable and called Free Spirit. Here is a track that sets the pristine tone for the entire collection. From the very first note, gentle acoustic strums and lush, floating synthesizer pads drift through the air like smoke from an extinguished candle. It is a breath-taking arrangement, masterfully balanced, allowing the listener to instantly unwind and breathe easy. As the melody unfolds, you feel a profound sense of emotional weightlessness taking hold; I personally found this a very profound creation and reminded me of the great work Reiki Hands of Light by Deuter in tone and timbre.
We move seamlessly to our following flowing chapter of musical charm called Quiet Morning. A deeper resonance greets our ears, but one that lulls us into a peaceful repose. It is a peace that manifests such an immense level of tranquillity that few contemporary artists could ever hope to match it. The tones glide over a bed of textured orchestration that feels like watching the first light of dawn gently break over snow-capped mountains. It moves slowly and carefully, allowing the listener to settle into a deep, meditative state, this is how a real human manifests truly great ambient music, AI software not required, thank you.
A higher elevation of timbre greets our senses with the composition called City Rain. But here is also a track that is so sweeping, easy and calm, that if one listens to this with utter honesty they won’t fail to be moved. There is a wonderful, visual narrative running through this particular piece. 2002 creates an echoing softness that beautifully replicates the gentle patter of a soothing rainfall. The subtle chord changes float back and forth so effortlessly that time itself becomes entirely irrelevant. I kid you not; the emotional resonance embedded within these keys is utterly glorious.
On Taking Flight we can float on a bed of musical clouds, at first it seems to be a dramatic prose taking effect, but the sweeping and floating genius here by 2002 as a band is blissful, in the same way Kevin Kendle did with his Clouds album back in the day. This track represents a monumental moment on the album where the music truly begins to soar. The melodic layers build into a beautifully realized, anthemic structure, driven forward by a heartfelt performance on the strings and keyboards. It speaks to a deep, universal longing inside every one of us to rise above our daily challenges. Simply outstanding!
The midway point of the release is reached and called Shimmering Path. A more questioning and explorative path can be felt here, on this quality ambient offering, floating keyboards and synths offer up much to be enjoyed. Here we find a delicious palate of tones and vibrations bathed in a memory-filled tapestry of serenity. The pristine notes float effortlessly in the pastiche of an incredibly colourful composition. There is an almost cinematic style piece here that feels like a stranger walking through a misty, enchanted forest at night. It is cathartic, peaceful, and beautifully delivered.
We step tenderly into the pathway of the latter half of the album and we are thus greeted by the track The Clearing. The ambience here feels nature filled, one can visualise the old hedgerows of a distant age emerge from the mist manifested shadows of an early morning sunrise. The arrangement dials back into a space of absolute acoustic bliss. The interplay between the instruments is minimal but incredibly powerful, proving that simplicity is often an artist's greatest strength. It provides a singular breath to recalibrate the soul before moving deeper into the recording.
Once more, pay notice to the pitch of the start of each track, each is carefully curated to bring the maximum of peace and contentment, and on the creation The In Between World that lush green texture continues. It creates a floating, peace-filled vibration that bridges the gap between our physical reality and the mystical energies of another realm. It is visionary music at its finest and an album manifested into reality by thinking cogent minds, not artificial, and truly emotive with every single note played.
Weightless sits at that deeper point of this river of music, its ethereal aspects speaks with the volume of a caress and a loving hug of a treasured individual. The ambient architecture of this piece does exactly what the title promises. The gentle, repeating motifs act as a balm for the spirit, effectively detaching the listener from the gravity of modern life. You could quite easily leave this single piece on repeat for hours on end and not even notice the time pass you by or care either, and that is one of the most vital parts about really brilliantly constructed ambient music made by humans that people fail to understand, it’s the journey to be enjoyed, not the algorithm to be chased.
The moving depth within the penultimate track entitled Faraway Memory is an utter delight, slight surges in tonal energy can be felt, soothing synths build upon a bed of natural ambient energy and something truly evocative is born. Here one can find a deeply reflective offering that strikes a powerful chord in the heart. The melody encourages us to look backward into the pastiche of our own lives, conjuring thoughts of dear friends and distant summer memories. The emotional depth that the Copus family can manifest out of thin air is a timeless reverence to be celebrated and is done so brilliantly, not only on this track, but on the entire album itself.
The final conclusion to the album and the wings project is now upon us, and called Wings of Light. What an utterly transcendent manifestation to end the album and the series, ambience personified. We close this extraordinary trilogy with a luminous, overarching masterpiece. The overlay of pristine chords and heavenly orchestration leaves the listener feeling much stronger and open-hearted than when the journey began. It brings the entire Wings saga to a triumphant, peaceful conclusion. Without a doubt, this is a must-purchase album for the entire world.
When all is said and done, Wings III: Ambient Bliss by 2002 is nothing short of a staggering achievement. In an era where the music industry is all too often dominated by artificiality, the Copus family have given the world a pure, human-made sanctuary of the very highest order.
This album does not merely serve as the closing chapter of a legendary, decades-spanning trilogy; it stands independently as a masterclass in modern New Age serenity. From the buoyant, freeing notes of the opening track to the luminous, celestial tapestry of its grand finale, the Copus family has crafted a seamlessly flowing, ten-track odyssey that effortlessly washes away the heavy armour of the modern day, and the utter junk created by talentless individuals seeking an easy ride in this wave of AI deep fakes.
The production is pristine, the emotional resonance is profoundly deep, and the absolute peace it manifests within the listener's heart is a rare and precious gift. I kid you not; this is an essential, must-own release for the entire world, and a timeless example of instrumental music at its absolute finest. It is an absolute triumph that must not be missed under any circumstances!
