Feature | Pagan Roman Daydream

As summer rapidly approaches, I know I am not the only one on the hunt for the perfect soundtrack to the magic and wonder that the season holds in store. Look no further than Pagan Roman Daydream to fuel your next sunset beach drive or stargazing adventure.

Pagan Roman Daydream is the latest release by British artist Ashley Ray Simon. Recorded in a remote studio off the Cornish coast, this album came together with the combined talents of multiple Indie artists, including Nilufer Yanya, Puma Rosa, and producer Moses van den Bogaerde. 

The layout of the album defies stereotypes, beginning at the end of love. Gone softly mourns love lost and ponders how to hold onto what's left through layers of acoustic instrumentals. Minna, the featured artist on this track, is a compelling addition for the added layer of both sides of the love affair getting to tell a piece of their story. Hound dog once again is a duet, this time coming from within the grasp of infatuation and featuring Clara Pople’s rich and soulful voice. The next several tracks dig deeper into love itself, the hold it has, the vulnerability, and the way it feels to see someone completely. All of this is expressed through colorful metaphors against a gently moving soundscape.

I enjoyed the sound and feel of this album a lot. It is poetic, dreamy, and fluid both lyrically and musically. Ashley Ray Simon’s vocals come across as effortless, as if singing comes as naturally to him as breathing. The way his vocals blend with the ebbs and flows of the acoustic soundscape of the album feels like a love letter, tender and passionate. The featured artists compliment his style and voice beautifully while also getting their own times to shine. I am not surprised by how well their features fit as the album is very cohesive and feels altogether like a breath of fresh air.