When Ian Rae graced our platform this past May with his dreamy, heart-stirring piano piece “In My Dreams,” it was clear we had encountered a composer who could translate emotion into melody. Now, the Kenley-based instrumentalist returns with “Sleeping Angel,” a follow-up to his “Goodbye Little Friend” EP which has surpassed 200K streams on Spotify. This new collection doesn’t just continue his cinematic journey; it deepens it, paying homage to memory, love, grief, and the quiet corners of hope.
Rae’s latest EP is a heartfelt six-track instrumental storybook, and like any great story, it’s made of more than notes and arrangements—it’s made of real life. At the heart of Sleeping Angel is a farewell. The title track is written in memory of Rae’s beloved dog Tallulah, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in April last year. From the very first measure, the music feels sacred—like a whispered prayer or a final hug you wish could last just a little longer.
This opening piece, “Sleeping Angel” is soul-rendering. A gentle piano line floats in like a soft lullaby, layered with ambient textures and warm string harmonies that shimmer like sun through stained glass. It’s a deeply personal tribute, but Rae’s gift lies in making that emotion universal. You don’t have to know Tallulah to feel her presence here—you just have to listen. The performance is restrained yet evocative, letting each note breathe with the kind of patience only grief can teach.
There’s something quietly cinematic in this “Don’t Forget to Blow a Kiss”—as if it belongs in the closing scene of a bittersweet film. Rae leans into a more melodic phrasing here, letting the piano speak in delicate sighs, while subtle synth pads swirl in the background. The instrumentation is minimalist but effective: warm, round tones wrapped in nostalgia. The message is in the title—small gestures matter, especially when they’re the last ones.
Transportive and deeply visual, “Sleepy Forest” unfolds like a dream sequence. Here, Rae showcases his knack for atmosphere. The piano is joined by what feels like distant flutes and soft brushes of wind—achieved, perhaps, through masterful use of reverb and sound layering. There’s an earthy hush to it, as though the forest itself were tucking you in. It’s whimsical, but never overdone—a true feat of balance in instrumental storytelling.
“Not Another Song” hints at a different shade of emotion: resignation, fatigue, maybe even resistance. Rae plays with repetitive motifs here, almost hypnotic in their cycle. You can feel the weight of unspoken words—the kind we carry but never say. The production remains clean and unobtrusive, letting the piano stay center stage while the underlying chords add quiet tension. There’s an ache in the performance, but it’s softened by Rae’s gentle delivery.
Dark and evocative, “Where the Cold Wind Blows” stands as the emotional climax of the EP. It brings a chill—the kind you feel when memory stings or the future feels uncertain. Rae’s touch is slightly heavier here, the chords more brooding, and the wind-like effects almost tangible. You sense a vast, open landscape in this one. The sparseness is deliberate, pulling you into contemplation. It’s grief in its most atmospheric form, and it’s breathtaking.
Closing the EP with a circling motif, Rae reflects on life’s cycles—grief, love, healing, and return in “Round and Around.” The melody feels like a question asked in loops, answered only by time. The production is soft but intricate, like a whisper inside a cathedral. There’s a resolution here, subtle and tentative, but real. It’s a perfect curtain call for an EP built on emotional honesty.
Ian Rae is not just a composer; he’s a storyteller, a memory-keeper, and a deeply emotive performer. His piano speaks in volumes where words fall short. With ‘Sleeping Angel,’ he invites us into a world of reflection that’s deeply personal universal. Each track feels like a keepsake—a snapshot of a moment, a mood, a goodbye. The production throughout is elegant. It allows the music’s emotional gravity to land naturally. Rae knows exactly when to let silence speak and when to let melody rise, and that balance is what makes his music resonate long after the final note. I say welcome back, Ian. Your music feels like home.
Listen to the “Sleeping Angels” EP on Spotify
Follow Ian Rae here for more information
