Ray Lynch’s music is an interesting mix of ambient and new age, eerie synth lines with evocative, mantra like drones. The flutter of a song such as The Oh of Pleasure might awake a wanton feeling in some, sadness in other people. I’m the latter, not the former. Always found The Oh of Pleasure as sad as they come, imagining a person just a few seconds from dying.

Celestial Soda Pop, with its infectious groove and simple melody is a happier song, hopeful and full of forward momentum. Lynch’s composition is in C minor, so it should be a sad affair. Instead, a sunnier disposition seems to prevail through it.

It’s strange, outside of Epcot center and a few Mexican government ads, I don’t know of many uses of Ray Lynch’s music. There was a small revival of his music thanks to the inclusion of both The Oh of Pleasure and Celestial Soda Pop on GTA IV’s The Journey radio station, where a cold machine voice was our de facto DJ. It’s strange driving through the grimy streets of fake New York, whether with doomed biker Johnny Klebitz or ill-fated Niko Bellic, and listening to New Age stuff. It’s a contrast that somehow works wonders on the game.

Deep Breakfast, which contains both of Ray Lynch’s greatest songs, is a spearhead album of the new age genre. If you need something peaceful to meditate, write, or read, it’s a hearty recommendation.

-Sam J. Valdés López