When words fail, music ‘unravels’ the truth. Edinburgh-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Geo Chandler proves this maxim with his stunning album, “Unravel,” released on September 5th, 2025. It’s a project that defies genre boundaries, gracefully blending the heart of classical composition with the pulse of UK electronic music. Chandler’s work doesn’t just blur lines; it redefines them, carving out a world where piano and strings coexist with shuffling drum patterns, atmospheric synths, and the visceral tension of bass frequencies born in underground clubs. Let’s delve into ‘Unravel,’ as Chandler offers us a deeply personal journey. One that feels reflective, human, and profoundly alive.
The album opens with “Like a Lake on the Moon,” a haunting and serene prelude that sets the emotional tone of the record. Synths ripple across a still expanse, glimmering like light on lunar water. Chandler crafts an alien and intimate soundscape—a meditation on distance and reflection. It’s an opening that establishes his command over atmosphere and texture right away.
“Return” introduces a subtle rhythmic drive, with intricate percussion patterns fluttering beneath melancholic piano chords. It’s a piece that feels like the memory of home reimagined in sound—warm, distant, yet familiar. Chandler’s classical instincts shine here; his use of space and layering is cinematic, evoking both longing and resolution.
In “Shells,” the composer takes a more minimal route. The piece is delicate and contemplative, built around soft strings and ambient electronics. The title seems to hint at fragility—empty forms left behind, echoes of what once was. The restraint in Chandler’s arrangement allows each note to breathe, demonstrating his mastery of dynamics and emotional pacing.
“Spent” deepens the record’s mood with darker tones and slow-building synth arpeggios. There’s a feeling of exhaustion and renewal interwoven, as if the track captures the beauty found in depletion. The production is immaculate—clean, spacious, and layered with intention.
“Crossing Dreams” is where Chandler fully embraces his electronic side. Pulsing beats merge with fragmented melodies, blurring the lines between ambient reflection and danceable energy. The track feels alive, shifting constantly, mirroring the movement of thought and dream.
Then comes “Shaken,” perhaps the album’s emotional centerpiece. A tension runs through the composition, expressed through trembling strings and glitchy percussive textures. It’s fragile yet powerful—a musical embodiment of vulnerability.
“Y & Y” brings brightness to the narrative. Its cascading synths and gentle rhythmic loops evoke optimism and forward motion. There’s a sense of clarity here, as if Chandler is finding calm after turbulence.
“Delaware” slows the pace again, merging field recordings with airy synth pads and subtle piano lines. It’s a reflective moment, one that captures Chandler’s cinematic instincts—a soundscape that could easily score a slow train ride at sunset or the quiet aftermath of a storm.
“Drift” lives up to its name with hypnotic fluidity. The production leans into ambient territory, letting textures evolve organically. Chandler’s expertise as a producer truly stands out here—the transitions are seamless, and the atmosphere is immersive.
Closing track “Leave Up” serves as the emotional release of the journey. Gentle piano chords and a faint hum of electronic warmth create a sense of acceptance and closure. It’s the sound of letting go—hopeful, weightless, and resolute.
“Unravel” is a triumph of restraint and expression. Geo Chandler doesn’t overproduce; he curates. His choices are intentional; each instrument, tone, and modulation exists for a reason. The album’s production is clean yet rich, with impeccable balance between the elements. Chandler’s classical touch infuses human warmth into every synthetic texture, and his command of bass and rhythm grounds the project in an undeniable groove.
His performance across multiple instruments feels effortless, a seamless conversation between strings, keys, and machines. Where some producers hide behind layers of sound, Chandler allows clarity to emerge—his delivery is intimate, even in the vastness of his arrangements.
Geo Chandler’s “Unravel” is not merely an album—it’s an awakening. It invites us to step into a world where emotion and technology coexist in perfect harmony. It’s music for the mind and the heart, for moments of solitude and self-discovery. For a debut, “Unravel” is remarkably self-assured, showing an artist who understands the architecture of sound and the poetry of silence. Geo Chandler has built a world worth getting lost in.
Listen to the “Unravel” album on Spotify
Follow Geo Chandler here for more information
