First Listen: The melodic landscape of Noah Stoneman

There is a certain buzz in the North London air, as Noah Stoneman’s debut album, Anyone’s Quiet: Let it Rain to You, is liberated onto spellbound ears.

Conceived in October 2021 with his trio Will Sach and Luca Caruso, the album comes almost two years later. It is comprised of nine tracks, including the eloquent ‘Major’ and sophisticated ‘Mourndoom’, which had been teasingly unveiled beforehand.

From its playful opening track 'Tomas and Tereza' to more intimate melodies such as 'Evanesce' - Anyone’s Quiet: Let it Rain to You is a curated masterpiece that flirts with its elements through a dance of spirited ambience. It is a powerful debut which exudes elegance and is doubtless a reflection of Noah's musical precision. A moment where this is recognised in full is the careful transition from ‘Band of Brothers’ to ‘Postlude’ – seamlessly floating from the upbeat tempo of the first into the calming presence of the latter, carried effortlessly by the drums of Luca Caruso. The album is a cohesive offering that transcends its individual tracks, embracing a unified and refined essence.

Having just finished his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, Noah’s career so far has been defined by his willingness to experiment with a wide range of musical genres. However, his deep-rooted love for improvision has unified these seemingly disparate languages, fuelling his aspirations to achieve mastery in this versatile art form. Anyone’s Quiet: Let it Rain to You achieves its unique flavour through Noah’s ability to juxtapose old and new into an indelible dialect.

Noah’s previous compositions attest to the talent which his debut confirms, having spent the past few years venturing music festivals and venues globally - ranging from the ethereal frequencies at Brainchild festival to the soul-stirring melodies of the Manchester jazz festival. In 2022, he composed the original score for the captivating mini-documentary series ‘Life in Love’, directed by the talented Able Rubinstein. The series made its debut on ITV and later stole the spotlight at the BFI London Film Festival. More recently, in January of this year, he contributed two original song cycles for piano and Opera Soprano at the prestigious RAM ‘Student Create’ festival. His compositions breathed life into the performances - weaving stories through harmonies in the foreground - meanwhile, Noah stitched his musical tapestry together.

His new album, recorded at Livingston Studios in London, offers a glimpse into Noah’s growing compositional identity, as well as his ability to collaborate across the field. The album was produced under ECM recording artist Kit Downes, who stamped the album with his musical zeal.

With a pallet of diverse influences and directions to travel, Noah’s musical expedition is worth following. As he refines his compositional voice, Noah is poised to carve a unique place for himself in the ever-evolving world of jazz.