Constellations - Aris Chalin x Eyan (Single Review)
While studying in Kalamazoo, I was introduced to a passionate and collaborative music scene that helped nurture so many talented artists. From house shows to brewpub beer gardens to international festivals, there is a playground of spaces for artists to hone their craft. Within Western Michigan University, young jazz talents were collaborating with stellar faculty, living legends, and rising stars to provide a solid educational bedrock to build the foundations of future music careers. Ann Arbor pianist Aris Chalin, a graduate of WMU’s jazz program, returns with a stellar new offering in his music catalog, a new single called “Constellations,” that recently released on July 3rd to celebrate his recent performance as a 2026 Gilmore Piano Festival Fellow.
This cosmic electroacoustic collaboration with Eyan (Ian Awoyade) offers modern jazz and electronic music listeners alike with a journey through improvisational cyberspace. In just over 2:30, the track blooms across a sonic pasture of warm keyboards, flowing drum grooves, and rich synth bass for the relaxed and active listener alike. Some will gravitate towards the melodic earworms peppered throughout while others are already pulling out their staff paper to transcribe the harmonic changes and vibe alongside the track. The scaffolding of the tune is strong, allowing the musical decorations to really shine as Eyan creates a pocket universe within the production that Aris Chalin colors so beautifully with his jazz vocabulary and choice of synthesizer tone.
“Constellations” is a wonderful track that delivers something new upon each listen, which shows the tact and skill from these rising creatives. It is also a reminder to all jazz musicians to not only steep yourself in the tradition, but to apply what you’ve learned in ways that expand the art form. Artists like Rob Araujo, Kiefer, Slowya.roll, and J3PO come to mind as like-minded stewards of the craft blending their love of cross-genre exploration. Take a moment out of your day to indulge in a little vacation in a space between your headphones that rewards your time away from the hectic schedules that dot our color coated calendars, and when you’ve landed safely back on Earth, seek out where you can follow and support the artists that piloted your trip.
Support Aris Chalin!
Website: https://www.arischalin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aris.chalin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aris_chalin/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aris_chalin/
Listen to Constellations:
Bandcamp: https://arischalin.bandcamp.com/track/constellations
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/449G2KDhwMmhQy5y2gfDQE?si=2993336c9c934f45
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/constellations/6787165319?i=6787165321
Youtube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-FinhoXvK1E&si=SRd5dJZyEOkNfG_2
Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/539878918/u
Click the artwork to listen to the new single!