Rob Jillings – Murmuration (Single Review)

Originally from Norwich, UK, Rob Jillings makes the type of cinematic soundscapes that will transport you from the everyday. He picked up the guitar at age 11, and things haven’t been the same since. Drawing inspiration from classic progressive rock acts of the 70s, such as Pink Floyd, Genesis, and ELP, his early work has been shaped by these artists’ sound. Though having found some success playing for ‘80s cover bands, his true passions lie in original compositions that are known for pushing boundaries.

After a successful career in IT, Jillings retired and moved to Portugal, where he has settled. He built a home studio, now with the freedom to focus on making music, his first love. With equipment and a home studio at his disposal, Jillings can now turn all his attention to bringing all his unfinished projects to life and musical experiences into a driven, fresh new chapter.

Now, Jillings is bringing to the table a brand-new single release, “Murmuration.”

“Murmuration” opens up with a distinctive piano melody that sounds very haunting in vibe. The piano melody underlines the track as synths, percussion, and some drum machines add to the sounds.

This felt like a highly atmospheric piece. The mood shifts slightly midway. The piano melody makes way for some keys and synths, transforming the emotions of this track into something more ambient. The sonic environment is soaring and ethereal, awash with melodies that will stay in listeners’ minds long after the last note has finished playing.

Overall, this was a hypnotic piece of music that left me spellbound right from the get-go. I enjoyed the synthetic as well as organic instrumentation, and I felt this was a good blend of both worlds. I noticed that the artist left a disclaimer, citing that no AI was used in the making of this song at all. I’ve been noticing that AI-generated music has become more and more prevalent in recent events. Though it has become a growing trend among many artists, I am glad that there are some artists out there, especially musicians like Jillings, who still like to do things the old school way and play their own musical instruments. With that being said, I commend Jillings on his musical artistry and ability. This song exhibits that and so much more.

SCORE/Excellent: “Murmuration” is a chilling piece of music that felt hypnotic right out of the gates. Rob Jillings, who composed and played all the instruments on this track himself, displays his talent for ambient soundscapes with this transformative number. The piano was my favorite, which felt haunting and profound in every sense of the word. I think the best way to enjoy this would be to listen to it with headphones on in order to properly immerse yourself in the music. Jillings is a talent to watch out for, and I look forward to seeing more soon.

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