New World is the highly-anticipated third installment in Argentinian pianist/composer Matias Bacoñsky's trilogy that began with When the World Ends (2018) followed by Epochal (2021). Three of the ten tracks were released as singles ahead of the full album, heightening the suspense of the final (or is it???) installment. The digital booklet that comes with the album explains what each piece/chapter is about and closes with "The End?" I plan to interview Matias very soon, so maybe he'll shed some light on this mystery! Regardless, the music in New World is very powerful and emotional, effectively expressing the dramatic elements of the story and its heroic characters. The music is performed on piano with a full symphonic orchestra and wordless vocals (both solo and choral). I have to say that Matias Bacoñsky really outdid himself with this amazing album!

To provide a quick summary, When the World Ends tells the story of a man, surrounded by his loved ones, anticipating the end of the world and hoping that they will all survive and find each other again. In Epochal, the man wakes up after the apocalypse, surrounded by debris, trying to remember what happened. He goes in search of other survivors and finds his wife near the end of the album - definitely a cliff-hanger!

New World begins with "Retrouvailles," which translates as a joyful reunion. Munay Anaya very effectively adds her symphonic vocals to the piano and orchestration in a sweeping piece that lets you know right away that this album is going to be very different with its huge sound and powerful music. "Together Again" picks up the tempo with an element of excitement as well as hope as the couple reunite and explore the ruins of the area around them. "Hope" features the soaring vocals of Marcela Bovio from Stream of Passion. In this chapter, the woman reveals that there are other survivors who are rebuilding the city. With a sense of possibility rekindled, the man hopes that they will be able to find their son. The first of the three singles, "Rise Again" expresses the slow restoration of strength and determination as well as the city. The powerful piano with orchestra and choral voices beautifully express this rebuilding process as well as feelings of hope. "Heart vs. Mind" was the second single and reveals a turning point in the story where the wife confesses that she had been working on a vaccine to help survivors of the devastation withstand the toxic air. She was told that she could not administer the vaccine to her family, but she chose to do otherwise. "Charmolypi" beautifully expresses her mixed feelings and features the wordless vocals of Zuberoa Aznarez of Diabulus in Musica. Ambre Vourvahis of Xandria vocalizes on "Love Story" which describes the life as well as the love the couple shared previously and their vow to find their son, no matter what. The piece begins quietly, building tremendous strength and momentum to operatic heights as it unfolds. "Daydreamer" was the third single and is full of hope for a fresh start as the couple finally find their son. In "Eye of the Storm," the community becomes angry with the wife for giving the vaccine to her family, causing others to die. She confesses that she gave her own doses of the vaccine to her family, knowing that she would probably die. Ulli Perhonen (ex-Snow White Blood) provides powerful, soaring vocals to express this devastating revelation. in "Everything Ends" the wife's health rapidly declines and she fades away. Broken-hearted, the man pledges to honor her memory by continuing to do her work. Powerful emotions and feelings of resolve flow through this closing piece, expressing the triumph of the human spirit. Is it the end of the story? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, we have three outstanding albums that tell this epic story - each album better than the one before it!

Matias Bacoñsky is obviously at the top of his game at the early age of 30, and I'm so glad I have had the opportunity to follow his career from his first official release eight years ago. New World will be released on January 17, 2025 and is available to pre-order now on Amazon. More links will be added as they become available. I give New World my highest recommendation!