According to the Moon is a year-long collaborative project by American pianist/composer/vocalist Cheryl B. Engelhardt and Australian producer/songwriter/ambient artist GEM Auset. The nine tracks embody a dance of opposites while expressing the energy of celestial events and the healing power of embracing life’s challenges. It also guides listeners through the emotional tides of the lunar cycle. The two artists collaborated from very different parts of the world (Sydney, New York, Los Angeles, and the French Alps), composing during eclipses, solstices and supermoons, creating music that invites stillness, reflection and healing. Other contributing artists include the Dallas String Quartet, pop artist Robin Tucker and GRAMMY-winning vocalist/sound healer Johnaye Kendrick of säje. In its first week of release, According to the Moon surpassed 100,000 Spotify streams and reached #4 on the iTunes Electronic chart. It spent several weeks at #1 on Amazon’s Ambient album chart and has been nominated for Best Album at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards. Expect to hear lots more about this album as the annual awards season approaches! Or better yet, check it out yourself first!

According to the Moon begins with “Glimmer,” a very ambient, atmospheric piece that blends electronic instrumentation and washes of sound with (real) voices, piano and strings - an intriguing start that sets the tone of the album. “Equinox” is much darker and more mysterious and features Robin Tucker along with the strings, female voices and atmospheric washes of sound. The harmony of the vocals is especially beautiful on this track! “Mountain Meditation” expresses the serene kind of peacefulness that comes from spending time in nature and becoming one with it. From the title, “Abyss” seems like it would be very dark, but this piece is actually ethereal and calm with the voices, piano and washes of electronics. “Nightside” paints a picture of a dark night sky sometimes punctuated with bright flashes of light - very peaceful and relaxing. The gentle vocals create something of a lullaby for kids of any age, soothing away the stresses of the day. “Dawnlight” brings images of a quiet sunrise and the promise of a new day, becoming bolder and brighter as the piece unfolds. The strings are especially effective on this one! “Crescent Cradle” is very ambient and ethereal, floating gently on soothing waves of sound. “Betwixt” is my favorite track on the album. Something of a study in contrasts, it is sometimes light and sunny, and sometimes very dark and mournful. Voices, strings, piano and electronic sounds create an atmospheric journey that I really like! “Eclipse” is my other favorite (although I really like them all!). An ethereal study in contrasts, a strong rhythmic pattern runs through the piece while various electronic and acoustic sounds (strings, voices) weave in and out. Warm, magical and very serene, it’s a beautiful close to a very special album!

According to the Moon is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, Bandcamp and streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. It’s definitely music for the soul and the mind!