Discovering New Sounds: Ship Says Om

Hello music lovers! It's Robbie and Andy here from Chatting Tracks, and we're back with something a little different. We recently received a delightful email asking us to check out an artist called Ship Says Om and her new album, Dream Journal. Naturally, we couldn't resist diving in. Andy, why don't you give us a bit more background on this intriguing project?

Who is Ship Says Om?

Ship Says Om is a solo project by the talented Jenny Gillespie Mason, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jenny has a rich history in the music industry, having collaborated with a band called Sis and the Lower Wisdom. But that's not all—she's also created her own record label, Native Cat Recordings, which is run with a feminist mission to support other artists.

A Sacred Whisper Between Worlds

Today, we're here to explore her EP, Dream Journal, which has been described as a sacred whisper between worlds. Fascinatingly, this project took Jenny only two days to record in her home studio. She employed ambient found sounds, keyboards, guitars, and textures from her everyday life. The EP is set to release on Halloween, October 31st, so right in time for some spooky vibes.

First Impressions of Sam Day

We're diving into the title track, Sam Day, which conjures a sort of Hammer Horror vibe. Picture a film soundtrack—brooding, slightly eerie, yet captivating. It's a soundscape that's entirely ambient with no vocals, using sound fields as narrative. It reminds us of classic experimental pieces like the Beatles' Number 9, with snippets of sounds coming and going, pulling you into its mysterious universe.

An Unexpected Journey Through Sound

Listening to the track is like journeying from medieval England to futuristic England in one swift leap. The shifts in sound are surprising and intriguing, creating a diverse crossover that's truly unexpected. The repetition drills into your mind, much like a dream that jolts from one scene to another. It's captivating and disorienting, much like dreams themselves.

Exploring Ambient Influence

You can't help but notice influences from artists like Brian Eno and his album Music for Airports. These repeating themes draw you in, keeping you curious about what comes next. It’s like an audio adventure with layers of sounds to discover. Being a sound junkie myself, I found it enthralling.

Andy's Take

Andy gave the full EP a listen, albeit without headphones at first, which admittedly left him underwhelmed. However, once experienced through headphones, the chaos of the piece began to make more sense, especially if you consider the dreamlike concept behind it. While it's not entirely Andy's cup of tea, acknowledging the effort put into creating such a complex piece is important.

A Peek into Sis and the Lower Wisdom

Comparing it to Jenny’s previous work with Sis and the Lower Wisdom, it's clear there's a distinct contrast. Sis offers a more cohesive sound, whereas Dream Journal thrives in its randomness. The track intertwines ambient chaos with orderly melodies, offering a unique experience akin to Philip Glass or Captain Beefheart.

Your Opinion Matters

The EP is launching on Halloween, October 31st, 2025, and we'd love to hear your thoughts. Is it a chaotic whirlwind or a masterpiece of ambient soundscapes? Share your opinions in the comments.

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