Imagine a meadow snugly perched at the very crest of an airy cloud, where transparent strands of fog occasionally glide over the soft grass, and from the depths of the sky comes a barely audible chime. This is exactly how I pictured the first stop when I turned on Once Upon a Cloudtop Meadow by Inal Bilsel.

Music born in such lofty heights sounds especially pure and mysterious, so from the very first notes there is a sense of stepping into a world where the laws of daily reality temporarily lose their hold.

photo by @inal.bilsel

I had the chance to become acquainted with several of the pieces in advance, and I noticed how tiny stories are tucked away in each of them. One is a sort of romantic contemplation of sunset, when the light grows softer and the clouds part to reveal the evening sky. Another evokes a long walk through a ghost town, where every abandoned house whispers its own legend, and the musical nuances shimmer with the mystery of ancient secrets. The third scatters into a sparkling impression of dawn, bringing a feeling of renewal and a nearly childlike wonder at the day ahead.

You can listen to these pieces in sequence as a single story, or take them in separate fragments if you want to focus on a particular mood. Each melody by itself can become a small portal: just listen and allow yourself a few minutes to slip away into a corner of your own imagination.

The release of Once Upon a Cloudtop Meadow is scheduled for February 25—an ideal time when winter has grown weary of being harsh and spring has not yet gathered strength. In those days, one especially craves gentle light, new energy, and a bit of fairy-tale magic. Inal Bilsel’s album suits this perfectly for creating a whimsical, magical nook in your own room. Turn on the music, brew your favorite tea, get comfortable, and let your thoughts embark on a celestial stroll.

The first track, Once Upon A Time, immediately conjures the image of a broad, slightly trembling field—space preparing for a story. Light ripples of the keys merge with delicate orchestral accents, hinting at a fairy tale where the gates to a wondrous world are about to open.

Next in line, Sleepwalker instantly shifts the soundscape into a more jazz-infused fairy tale. The harmonies blend seamlessly, intertwining orchestral textures with subtle, unexpected jazz undertones. It evokes the image of a protagonist suddenly finding themselves in another dimension—peering into a reflection only to discover an entire kingdom of mirrored figures.

photo by @inal.bilsel

As the album gathers momentum, it leads into the single A Night at the Cloudtop Imaginarium. The title alone whispers of an elaborate ball beneath the constellations, where fantastical beings greet the traveler and guide them deeper into the wonder. While earlier tracks introduced individual character themes, like Lulu’s Theme or A Is for ‘Aga’, this piece brings everything together. The story reaches its peak, unfolding key turning points as if living through the heart of the narrative. Synth motifs, laced with a touch of nostalgia, alternate between a gentle glow and sudden bursts of cinematic grandeur. It becomes a dance between tenderness and spectacle, holding the listener in suspense.

Then comes Berceuse for Lulu, gently shifting the mood. The chimes and delicate strings create the sensation of magical flowers blooming in the sky—gazing up at them, you feel the world take on warm, almost Eastern hues. Here, jazz, orchestral arrangements, and modern pop ambiance coexist effortlessly, while the light, drifting atmosphere lingers at the edges of consciousness.

As the album nears its conclusion, K’yango’s Lament unfolds like a painting of a blooming garden. It’s followed by the elegant pairing of Our Time Together and Until Next Time—two pieces that feel like a single engraving, capturing a farewell sunset or the warmth of a joyful reunion. A romantic note lingers in the air, carrying a sense of release, a willingness to let go and dissolve into lighter emotions.

The final chord of Ellipsis brings a sense of completion without drawing a definitive line. Instead, it leaves a soft pause, as if the book hasn’t quite closed. Ambient textures interwoven with cosmic undertones give the listener a moment to reflect on the journey—or perhaps rewrite their own story to the melody of Once Upon a Cloudtop Meadow.

Sometimes, the world around us calls for a pause and a gentle shift to a different frequency. This album embraces those moments, offering a breath of fresh air and quieting the noise of daily life.

The conclusion here is simple: Once Upon a Cloudtop Meadow by Inal Bilsel is a journey worth taking more than once, revealing something new each time. Mark February 25 on your calendar—there will be a YouTube live listening session of the entire album that day. And if you ever feel like escaping for a while, settling in, and stepping into a place where sunsets are always a soft peach hue and the night sky shimmers with melodies, this album is where you’ll find it.

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub