Release Date: 1 January 2026
Song Count: 9
Duration: 40 minutes, 48 seconds
Rating: 7.2/10
Description:
One release of many right on the first day of the year, today we have the newest work of Orkun Akbal, an electronic producer from Turkey primarily specialised in making ambient tunes. His sixth album, Iridescent, is as ambient as one can possibly get, and is described by him as an "ode to nature, electricity, the colour green, to stars and beyond", aptly captured visually by the cover art as well. But how well do the songs actually represent these themes?
Now, that is a question that is difficult to answer, as especially calm ambient music invokes different senses and imaginations in different sorts of listeners - however, if depicting nature, green and the stars was the aim, I would say the job here is quite well done. Though a majority of the sound is mainly comprised of long and extended synths passing on by like waves, some tracks, specifically "Lys" and "Iridescent", also include an additional electronically produced sound that feels textured, tapping and almost grain-like at times, though it is executed in the most organic and cohesive way, giving moreso the sense of light rain spraying on a window than any sort of static or bumpy ride. Percussion is almost entirely absent in these tracks except for a faint presence in a couple instances, letting the melodies and digital sounds take on the entire soundscape and wash over the ears of the listener.
This is a quite well-made ambient project from Akbal, even accounting for the final track randomly being 11 minutes long - which, even then, doesn't actually make much of a difference in terms of shifting the feel of Iridescent as a complete piece. Though there's only so much I can get invested in in these kinds of albums that contain minimal changes in musical elements, the immersion and atmosphere induced by this record is delightfully floaty and light, and it certainly gets its aim done. A serene and pleasant 40 minutes all around, and perhaps worth checking if in need of something to soothe the soul with a bit.