The song titles speak volumes on Seven Saturdays stellar new EP, The Snowflakes That Hit Us Became Our Stars, which all evoke strong, lasting images and moods that the listener is left to ponder while the transformative music gradually takes them away. Through the mainly wordless music featured on the record, Seven Saturdays’ mastermind Jonathan D. Haskell has crafted soothing, poignant sounds that manage to conjure up deep emotions despite (or perhaps because of) the lack of lyrics, aided, of course, by the significant and striking song titles that subtly show the listener the way.

‘Early Morning Fog Bank’ opens the album stirringly, suggesting an early morning drive through the murky Hollywood Hills as the city ever so slowly wakes up below. It’s a gorgeous, pensive number, with Haskell saying more through his artful use of restraint than he ever could through bombastic discord. While ‘Au Revoir’ manages to capture both the pain and freedom involved in saying goodbye, as the buoyant song lifts you away to a destination you’re unsure of, but anticipating nonetheless. The subtle but steady production is stellar throughout this generous 36-minute EP, as both Haskell and Daniel Farris (St. Vincent, The Black Pill) man the dials in an unobtrusive but highly effectual manner, giving depth to the songs where it is needed, but never making the songs too complicated for their own good.

‘Terrified Of Breaking Down’ simply stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it, as the plaintive piano slowly swells to include the exquisite strings and the song truly takes flight. It’s easily one of the best instrumentals I’ve heard in years, and forms the breathtaking centerpiece to the EP. The distinguished list of contributors to the project is quite impressive, with members of M83, Verbena, and David Bowie and Jenny Lewis’ bands all adding their distinct flavor to the proceedings. But at its heart, this is clearly Haskell’s project, with his grand vision and clarity colouring all of these richly dynamic songs.

The two Piano Interludes featured here both form elegant, smooth transitions to larger pieces, with the first forming a bridge from the fearful tension of ‘Terrified Of Breaking Down’ to the resplendent title track, which simmers gracefully before the glorious melody arises, giving the song an uplifting, optimistic tone. The second Interlude comes after the title track, and forms a perfect segue into the expansive, velvety closing number ‘True Romance,’ which ends the EP in a hushed, regal manner. With any type of largely instrumental music, there needs to be enough feeling and spirit imbued within the songs to effectively convey those selfsame emotions within the listener; and on The Snowflakes That Hit Us Became Our Stars, whatever sensations that aren’t translated directly through the music are made plainly evident through the highly suggestive song titles, ensuring that the listener ends up exactly where Jonathan Haskell intended, wherever that may be.