Brian Eno : Reflection

Great for lovers of the ambient genre. Runs well on M3 iMAC. OS 15.3.1. The app has a message suggesting to use external speakers or headphones. I have not listened on either speakers or headphones yet, but have found using the M3’s internal speakers with Boom (calibrated to the M3), with ‘Ambience’ feature engaged (up to about 6/ 1 0’clock) to work quite well with the ambient nature of this piece. Have been a huge fan of Brian Eno, have ‘Reflection’ on CD, and I learned about the generative version a while back, shortly after it was released in 2017. Provides an excellent relaxing, yet interesting background while using the M3. Generally I find the M3 iMac speaker/ audio system lacking compared to modest powered speakers or a decent pair of earbuds or headphones. I have noticed that the iMac built-in speakers sound better if it is positioned away from a wall or flat surface

While I appreciate that this was suppose to be an artistic expression, and I usually blame myself for being duped into spending too money on something with little value, I feel a little blindsided by this app. Judging by the interactive experiences provided by previously released apps, I was expecting much the same here and was left completely wanting. The listener has no control whatsoever of the listening experience. Art, yes, I get it, but I could have easily put this piece on loop for free in Apple Music and not known the difference. My ear is apparently not discerning enough to care if there are subtle changes in the composition. Also, the “space frequencies” are absolute nails on a chalk board. I’m likely going to delete this app because I can’t stand them. UPDATE: While I’m still going to caution all comers about the price and warn them about the lack of interactivity, I’m here to admit that I have NOT deleted the app from my phone after all and have spent the last two weeks listening to it for most of my work day. It really is oddly addictive and very comforting. I’ve also found that paired with a nature sound such as rain or wind it makes an excellent study/focus tool that also blocks out background noise. I’ve even gotten accustomed to the “space frequency” sounds that have actually served to draw my attention back to the music and refocus me when I start to drift.

After playing trope and reflection, I end up using them more than I do my music subscription services. With the ever changing generative reflection, I don’t even have to press a button and I always have some new ambient going. Occasionally I hear a sample repeat from time to time, but never the same music and the moods are always changing. With trope I have to start over the track because it isn’t ever-changing. With reflection you can hear it’s always bringing in new sounds. I have a large ambient collection in my iTunes library but I always end up back to this app. Thank you Brian eno for pushing the boundaries of iPhone