Nature Ganganbaigal released “To Where Tengger Leads Me” September of last year. Known for his music production, film composition, video game composition, and Mongolian folklore music, Nature has been cultivating a unique sound for years. Gaining acclaim from MTV, Vice, The Huffington Post, and The Gaurdian, he is known for his work throughout the world. Ganganbaigal’s film scores have been selected by festivals including the Montclair Film Festival, LAIFF Awards, RXSM Self Medicated Film Awards, Time Code Nola, and the International Movie Trailer Festival. In 2013, he won the W.O.A China Best Composition. Nature plays the horse-head fiddle. He also incorporates throat singing, making for an interesting sound and listen. Producing all the songs on this album, they stay true to his very solitary and individual musical aesthetic.
There’s an abundance of unique melodic layers, harmonies, and rhythms. Not surprisingly, this album automatically feels like the music of movies, a beautiful soundtrack to life; very descriptive without many words being sung. Ganganbaigal successfully combines Mongolian folk music with an integrated subliminal rock and western influence.
His music is quite evoking. During my first listen, I visualized being in pastures, walking through gardens, and finding inner equanimity. It’s fitting music for working out, with the right amount of rhythmic bite and musical thrill. My favorite song on the album is “The Expedition”. It indeed feels like a voyage – horses running in the wild, wind surging through the ear, a moment of self enlightenment, vast dessert plains with no end in sight.
“My Horse, Far in the Distance” lost my attention as well as “Symphony of Steel Pt. 2”. If I’m being honest, I found the album just a tad bit long. Nine to ten songs would have sufficed. But being prolific is nothing to scorn at so bravo for the abundance of material. I would have perhaps waited to release some of it as the album feels a bit overplayed and receptive at points.
“Hymn Of the Earth” brings life back into the Album just before I began to lose all interest. It has a gorgeous melody and rhythmic pull that forges the song along and uplifts the listener’s ears. Rock influences can be heard underneath the melody giving it another dimension. “Homeland Song” featuring NanDin is a beautiful ending to the album. Gorgeous vocals bring about an element of surprise and effervescence. I wish there had been more vocals such as this on the entire album.
Overall, I found “To Where Tengger Leads Me” great for when you’re in need of calm quiet reflection such as working out, walking, or working. I look forward to hearing some of these songs in feature films as they are quite fitting for that. You can listen on Nature’s Soundcloud and Bandcamp site. You can also stay up to date on his website and Facebook page.
