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In this intimate preview, we explore the song’s ethereal soundscape and symbolic imagery. An Estonian-American multimedia artist based in New York City, Laube unfolds a tender new movement in his music career – one that bridges old-world myth with contemporary ambience. His previous album Liminal drew on folk traditions and personal transformation, and “Halo in Freefall” continues this introspective journey with a meditative piano-driven piece.
The cover art for Halo in Freefall features a brooding, winged figure clutching a violin, set against a fur-lined darkness. This symbolic image reflects the single’s spiritual themes – angels in descent, classical instrumentation, and the collision of light and shadow. It evokes a sense of mythic gravity and celestial longing. Laube says the visual and musical motifs are intertwined: “I envisioned Halo in Freefall as a journey between worlds,” he explains. “The winged figure on the cover represents the soul in motion, it's a cut of image of myself which you might see more of in the upcoming releases – caught between heaven and earth. The violin and piano suggest human artifice against the wild currents of the cosmos.” In keeping with this poetic vision, the music unfolds slowly, as if a hymn reborn in sound.
Musically, “Halo in Freefall” is built on rich, resonant piano chords that ebb and flow like gentle waves. Soft string-like pads and reverb lend an expansive, atmospheric depth, while subtle harmonies on the upper registers hint at something celestial and mysterious. The tempo is unhurried giving listeners room to drift into the space between notes. Notes linger with warm overtones, suggesting both melancholy and hope. At times one almost expects a human voice or choir to join in, though the demo as heard on SoundCloud remains instrumental. Music journalist-style analysis might note that Laube blends classical piano sonorities with ambient production techniques, crafting a sound that feels at once timeless and modern. “I tried to let the piano breathe,” Laube says of his compositional approach. “The chords are sparse but wide open, reflecting my personal inability to play the piano any better but also leaving space for the listener’s imagination. It’s like freefalling through clouds: you know you’re moving, but everything around you is soft and slow.”
Inspiration for Halo in Freefall comes from Laube’s fascination with myth and the in-between – the moments when we are neither here nor there. (His album Liminal, after all, was named for this transitional state.) Laube cites both Estonian folklore and modern philosophers as influences. He says he was thinking about “the halo as a symbol of light and destiny, and freefall as surrendering control.” The result is a song that feels devotional and cinematic, hinting at both sacred ritual and the vastness of space. Culture critics might observe that Laube’s work, while rooted in personal feeling, taps into a universal longing. Indeed, his music has been described as one that “transcends boundaries,” weaving together tradition and innovation.
Valev Laube’s background spans more than music alone. As noted by Broadway World, he is also a seasoned multimedia designer and producer whose digital work has underpinned many theatre productions. His clients have included fashion and lifestyle brands which reflects a keen visual sensibility. This dual career in design and music informs “Halo in Freefall”: the single’s artful cover and layered sound show a creator attentive to both sonic and symbolic detail. In addition to his solo music, Laube co-produced the Estonian-inspired show Dawn till Dusk with choreographer Diina Tamm (toured 2022–24), a project that similarly fused dance, folklore, and modern textures.
For listeners wondering what comes next, Laube teases that more music is on the horizon. He hints at an upcoming release of additional singles and an EP expanding on Halo in Freefall’s themes. “I’m working on new pieces now – some are as quiet and contemplative as this one, others are more rhythmic,” he says. Fans of Liminal’s dreamy world will likely hear echoes of that album’s folk-inflected style, but with Halo in Freefall Laube seems poised to delve even deeper into atmospheric instrumental territory. In the spirit of transition and grace, this single is a thoughtful preview of what Valev Laube has in store: music that invites us to pause, reflect, and feel the gentle pull between sky and earth.
