Desert Spa

Released in 2019, Desert Spa represents a pivot for David Arkenstone toward the 'wellness' and 'spa' sub-sectors of the New Age genre. While his earlier career was defined by narrative-driven, cinematic works like 'In the Wake of the Wind', this album is intentionally non-narrative. It utilizes long-form compositions, with several tracks exceeding seven minutes, to facilitate a meditative state. The recording features a high degree of digital clarity, typical of Arkenstone's modern production, but applies it to a much sparser arrangement than his orchestral works. Critically, it is viewed as a refined example of contemporary ambient music that bridges the gap between traditional New Age flute music and modern, texture-based electronic ambient. The album's nine tracks are unified by a desert theme, utilizing titles and sonic palettes that evoke the geography of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.