Crystal Skies – Stardust

Released February 23, 2024 on Lost In Dreams Records

Buy on Beatport:
https://www.beatport.com/release/stardust/4410698

 
Stream on Spotify:

 
Listen on SoundCloud:

Track-by-track Review:

 
1) Growing Pains (with SOUNDR)
The opening song of this amazing album. A melodic opening, and the vibrant vocals of SOUNDR. The themes within feel like the start of a book, chapter one, here is what we are about. The lyrics feel like the intro of this journey, and where we are going, on a trek beyond what you can see, think, and feel.

“Growing Pains” explores its atmosphere with a vibe, and inertia of flight. As it gets itself focused, feeling that motion, a push, a drive, to keep going.

 
2) Stardust (with HALIENE)
A look to the stars, we are there, high above the clouds. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. Haliene’s incredible lyrics and vocals deliver that apex, reaching higher and higher touching the stars. As the song continues to grow, it flows like a heartbeat, taking you elsewhere to a place that cannot be defined. A motion to lift your arms up high, as the vocals and melody dance together.

“Stardust” is beautiful, uplifting, and exciting. It is magical, wonderful, and feels like a warm hug throughout.
Just close your eyes, and let it take you away.

 
3) Hurts Sometimes (with RUNN)
That feeling of leaving everything behind, the memories, or parts of your life that broke your heart. With a guitar, and Runn’s mesmerizing vocals, both come together delivering so many emotions all at once. “Life’s not fair, and it hurts sometimes” – those lyrics deliver a punch, but also an understanding of everything we all feel when taking on anything that feels like an obstacle, or a difficult time.

“Hurts Sometimes” feels like that pull at your heartstrings, when you feel broken, trying to mend, or crawl into a ball and cry. But know you are not alone, even though you feel as if you cannot describe the pain, and hold it all deep inside.

 
4) Other Side (Luxtides)
Moving through space, time, and everything flows differently. Going beyond what you can reach. The stars no longer feel so far away, but what we left behind feels like a distant memory. But there is something that tells us to keep going.

“Other Side” – Luxtides’ incredible vocals deliver that level of excitement, a mind running wild, and that inertia driven to take on anything along the way. A reminder of what keeps us going, never give up.

 
5) Event Horizon
That point of the journey, where things feel like there is no going back. You have made it this far, but there is one thing in your way: a space of nothingness, but you have to break through. But be careful – your mind, heart, and soul might go with it.

“Event Horizon” feels like a moment where glass breaks underneath us. Shattered, tethered, and wondering how to get through it all. This is a song that feels like a nightmare, but even though you wake up from it, this is not a dream. You keep pushing with all you have.

 
6) Heart’s Still Beating (with She is Jules)
Once you break through the darkness, there is light, hope. Reaches out to you, and you do the same. Making contact, finding a way out. The light overwhelms, and it cascades a glow that resonates within you.

“Heart’s Still Beating” through “She is Jules” amazing performance feels close to a redemption, or that feeling you have healed from everything that brought you down. You fight internally with all you have. But outside, you put a brave face on. You want to reach out, but unsure, but someone you knew, reached out to you, and made you feel something amazing.

 
7) Farewell (feat. KnownAsNat)
Everything you left behind, emotions, memories come flooding back. How did you say goodbye to those you loved? Here you are, in the great unknown, uncharted territory. What is out there? If there is no way back, how far can you go?

“KnownAsNat” delivers wonderful vocals that feel like solace, acceptance, but also pondering, and wondering “what if”

 
8) Explosions
Making it beyond anything you have reached before. This space, this place, your journey is almost over. But your ship is holding on, just as much as you are. Reaching a destination, somewhere new, but the atmosphere, is taking you down, pulling, forcing its velocity. But your ship holds together, keeping you safe as long as it can. The computer reassures you “I will carry you home”

 
9) Nirvana (with Amidy)
Is this limbo? Heaven? Everything feels so far away. Gravity. Your suit, your ship. Time has stopped. A blink, subspace, then an atmosphere. You close your eyes, and your minds eye shows you the possibilities, hopes and dreams, wishes.

Amidy’s vocals deliver a hopeful vibe, but also a comprehension, and acceptance. But also, that feeling of climbing through obstacles that kept you down, or breaking through.

 
10) Lifeline (feat. Meggie York)
Finally you open your eyes. A caring hand is holding yours. This place feels familiar. Everything you did, done, and wanted to do. You made it. But where is here? Home? If you want to be. You hold on. As long as you can. Your mind races to that freefall moments ago. On solid ground. Here we are again. Where we want to be.

Meggie York delivers an astonishing, and powerful performance. Her voice is that piece of the puzzle, a realization, this journey what is was all for. Reaching out, holding on to hope, faith, and never wavering.

“Stardust” is an incredible, immersive album, exploring emotions, wonder, imagination, but also hope – what keeps us going. Each song, crafted by Crystal Skies, delivered by amazing talents, singers and songwriters, delivers a heartfelt and awesome performance throughout. This amazing album is a must-add to your library.