Renowned pianist and composer Gleb Kolyadin, best known as half of the progressive duo Iamthemorning, returns with “Glimmer.” This is the lead single from his forthcoming solo album, Mobula, set for release on February 28. The track introduces listeners to Kolyadin’s evolving style, mixing folk influences with his signature neoclassical elegance.
Accompanying the release is a stunning, handcrafted animation by Natalia Ryss, celebrated for her collaborations with electronic artist Max Cooper. The video, painstakingly crafted frame by frame over three months using techniques like rotoscoping, complements the track’s ethereal atmosphere with vivid, otherworldly visuals.
Mobula, Kolyadin’s first album entirely conceived and produced in the UK, presents a fusion of traditional and contemporary world music, neoclassical elements, and modern electronic rhythms. The project features percussionist Evan Carson, a prominent figure in the folk scene. At the heart of the album is the unique sound of a century-old Broadwood grand piano, recorded by engineers Marcel van Limbeek (Tori Amos) and Gianluca Capacchione. The instrument’s organic warmth contrasts with the album’s cutting-edge production, mixed and mastered by Vlad Avy.
The 14-track album draws inspiration from Kolyadin’s extensive music archive, described as a “diary” of over 500 compositions. Each track evokes the movements of an imagined planet. Tied thematically to the oceanic creature Mobula, the album embarks on a sci-fi-inspired exploration of sound, atmosphere, and emotion.
Available on February 28 via Kscope, Mobula will be released on multiple formats, including purple vinyl LP, black vinyl LP, CD, and digital.