Contemporary experimental folk artist Avi C. Engel explores the intersection of environmentalism, existential thought, and the delicate tension between tradition and modernity. On their latest release Nocturne (Soundtrack for an Invisible Film) an album born out of a period of sleeplessness and depression with its creation serving as a means of self-soothing. As Avi emerged from this emotional fog, the album evolved into something more: an offering to others who may seek solace or a temporary escape.

The album is undeniably dark, with a somber mood that feels especially pronounced when the world outside is as cold and bleak as the music itself. Tracks like “Bones Beguiled” exude a heavy sadness, while “E Minor Fermented” takes on a hypnotic quality, featuring a looping guitar hook paired with thumb piano. “Night Walk in the Loon Sanctuary” has an unsettling, eerie atmosphere, pulling listeners deeper into Avi’s introspective soundscape which also features various field recordings. On “Ariel” the tone shifts to something more dystopian, with Avi singing, “It aches to be alive, witnesses here, on the bank for a while,” the song’s moody restraint reflecting the bleakness of its themes.

The album closes with “Cocoon” where fingerpicked guitar gives way to the introduction of the gudok, adding layers of depth and melancholy to the track. It’s a fitting conclusion to an album that feels like a journey through the artist’s psyche — dark, meditative, and ultimately cathartic. Nocturne is an album that invites listeners into a space of reflective solitude, and if it provides even a moment of peace for those struggling with their own thoughts, then Avi’s purpose will be complete.