Haotian - Story of the Leaves

​Haotian

Story of the Leaves
self-released; 2024

TOP ALBUM

By ​Dino DiMuro​

Haotian Wang is a fascinating artist and songwriter from Yunnan, southwest China, currently based in Chicago. He’s just released his sophomore effort titled Story of the Leaves, which blends ambient pop, indie pop, new age and Chinese folk music with generous helpings of field-recorded sound effects and spoken word. The artist intends to combine the atmospheric, ambient-folk textures of artists like Cassandra Jenkins with the storytelling and organic instrumentation of Sufjan Stevens and The Weather Station. 

The nine songs on this album were written from 2020 to 2023 and form a kind of suite, transitioning from early bedroom production to studio collaborations with musicians from around the world. Haotian’s songwriting often begins with recorded sounds from both natural or urban environments, which are then layered with acoustic guitar, strings and synth elements. Each track aims to capture the mood of a different place, from city to nature, as if on a lyrical journey. Haotian’s idea to give his collection the feel of a journey is certainly borne out by his use of field recordings. During my first listening, I was often fooled into thinking there were people talking near me or other sounds happening close by, giving the album a very unified feel.

Recording took place at Soundstage Studio at Northwestern University using Pro Tools. Final mixing was done by Blake Sokoloff at Abbey Cat Recordings in Chicago, with mastering by Micah Simmons in Cleveland and Philadelphia.

“Day” is a fascinating peek at Haotian’s facility with soundscapes. There’s an acoustic guitar that sounds slightly lofi, accompanied by sweet chimes and a piano that sounds like it was recorded deep inside the soundbox. Across these musical elements is a stuttering, rainbird-like sound that scurries back and forth between the stereo field. Even for his vocals, Haotian refuses to sit still, gently panning each line slightly left or right of center. Haotian has a quiet, easy-going voice that reminded me of Al Stewart (“The Year of the Cat”). Guest players are Ruihao Li (acoustic guitar) and Peiran Zhao (violin and strings arrangement). With the rising strings, Haotian lets the track devolve into a cloud of echo’d elements, almost like a dream or a hypnotic trance.

The title track “Story of a Leaf” literally begins with a car starting, before settling into a lovely folk groove with multiple acoustic and electric guitars (with credit to guest Andrew Perz). It’s nice to have the credits on Bandcamp as Haotian treats his vocal tracks as musical passages, sometimes floating just beneath the instruments before resurfacing with lovely harmonies. The next track “East Coast” is linked by passengers loading onto a subway car. Haotian allows his vocals to be more naked and vulnerable here, beautifully complimented by Peiran Zhao’s strings along with the rhythm section of Justin Cavazos (bass) and Eric Lee (drums). Though the strings have an eerie retro quality, this track could be a Hit in any known universe. “Empty Freeway” is an evocative ode to fragmentary memories, bathed in sweet picked guitars and pulsing echoes (featuring Jake Sabetta on guitar and bass). Is that a steam train I hear?

“Halzeilpyu (Direction)” has an electro-pop backing atop Chinese lyrics. I don’t understand what it means even with the lyrics sheet, but the overall effect is both mysterious and soothing. “Current” starts with a cool backward guitar loop blending with the ever-present worldly sounds, then settles into another gorgeous arrangement for acoustics, strings and even keyboard-generated woodwinds. Haotian’s vocals suggest Davey Jones at this youngest and most wide-eyed, backed by the Salvation Army Band. “Night” seems to bring us full circle back to some of the themes of the opening track “Day” with a stark yet reverent focus on single piano chords at the close. 

Though not similar in many other ways, discovering this artist and his new album was like hearing Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” for the first time, totally not expecting the magic interplay between vocals, acoustic guitar and string sections. I so admire artists that create something special and beautiful, and that’’s Haotian!

haotian.bandcamp.com/album/story-of-the-leaves

haotianwangmusic.com

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