Inal Bilsel is a composer with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. His work combines music and visual art, fact and fiction, nostalgia and dystopia. Inspired by science fiction, retrofuturism, and musical hauntology, he works in the genres of electronic, classical, contemporary, film, and experimental music.
Inal’s debut album “A New Beginning “(2009) was his first step into the world of electronic music after an academic career and winning the Notion competition in 2007.
His second album “Paradise Lost” (2018, Epic Istanbul) presents a conceptual world and forms the basis of his doctoral dissertation Creating Small Worlds. In his hometown of Nicosia, Cyprus, he is known for his audiovisual shows “Tales From The Future“.
In addition to this, he has composed music for many short films, theater productions, and created audiovisual installations for various exhibitions. His previous label was Epic Istanbul/Sony Music, but he decided not to release his music through a label and is now moving independently.
Photo by Inal Bilsel
Now, Inal is excited to present his new “feature-length” work. “Once Upon a Cloudtop Meadow ” is a cinematic, fairy tale-inspired conceptual album that took five years to create. Relying on the language of soundtracks, jazz fusion, classical, and ambient music, as well as rich textures and complex instrumentation, in the 14-track album he shares the story of Lulu and the fantastical world she visits every night before dawn. It was created with audiophile settings in mind, allowing it to be experienced as a cohesive whole.
“And so, dear reader, this is where our tale begins—not with a waking world of ordinary days, but with a sleeping girl and a realm of endless possibility.“
From the very first sounds of the track “Once Upon A Time,” which opens the album, the composer’s distinctive and eclectic sonic universe is evident. The music becomes a guide to a fairy-tale world, where sound is a step toward the story. The rustle of strings contrasts with the sweet timbre of the keyboards, and the melodies shine brilliantly, bringing the plot to life and drawing the listener into a musical narrative that leads to the magical elevator of the track “Sleepwalker.” When Lulu enters the elevator, soft mechanical rhythms appear, interspersed with atmospheric electronic effects. The music lifts her along with the elevator into an unknown world. In the clouds, the melody becomes ephemeral: synthesized arpeggios and light shades float, disappearing and reappearing. The finale is a gentle return.
`Smooth piano chords and a lulling rhythm evoke the warmth of a bed, while in the distance, a faint echo of the melodies from the composition” Lulu’s Theme” can already be heard, built on transparent synthesizer chords that drift like clouds gliding across the sky. In its texture, delicate, trembling notes convey the fragility of mystery. Gradually, the melody becomes more whimsical as unconventional sounds enter. Unstable rhythms and modulated timbres reflect the enigmatic nature of a musical world with its own palette of sounds. The album resembles fine silk, its melodic and atmospheric structure offering a glimpse into a vivid, otherworldly realm. Thus, in the composition “A Night at the Cloudtop Imaginarium,” electronic, classical, and experimental elements transport the listener into a world of fantasy and dreams.
Scattered synthesizers create a sense of movement through the clouds, while electronic noises shift in form. Gradually, the mood fills with colorful accents and rhythmic pulses, and in the finale, a gentle fading occurs as the themes merge into a warm chord-time for sleep. With the melodies of “Berceuse for Lulu,” Lulu drifts into the embrace of sweet dreams. The transparent flexibility of the sound brings peace and bliss. The soft breathing of the synthesizers and light percussion enhance the soothing effect of the lullaby. The sounds gradually fade, leaving behind an electronic reverberation that slowly disappears like receding fog.
Photo by Inal Bilsel
Awakening from sleep, Lulu continues her journey, encountering magical spaces and mysterious creatures along the way. The melodies of the tracks “When I Was an Owl” and “Into The Forest “convey an atmosphere filled with wonder, awe, and a touch of fear. A strong impression was made on me by the composition “K’yango’s Lament“. When Lulu speaks the name K’yango, true magic begins—sounds and melodies become vivid and rich, with the climax arriving as expressive, heartfelt vocal parts emerge.
The captivating musical story pulls you in, and before you know it, you’ve reached the final stretch. In the track “Panacea”, emotions intensify, and symphonic elements gently lead to the concluding composition “Ellipsis.” Its instrumental sections are soft and light, evoking a sense of tranquility, and in the end, the farewell call of Lulu and her magical friend brings this musical narrative to a close.
Inal Bilsel is a name that prefers to explain things with a whisper rather than a shout. An artist who creates new worlds with his compositions, he masterfully weaves different musical styles in his album, offering a musical experiment that goes beyond familiar genres. The sound of Inal Bilsel in the album stands out for its strength, thanks to the harmonious combination of different elements.The album is set to be released in mid-March, but three singles are already available. It will be presented through a live listening session on YouTube, allowing listeners to experience it in full. So now the main question is: will there be a continuation of Lulu’s adventure story?
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