Armed with a piano and a cello, Michael Rains makes excessively cheerful (in his own words) music. Impeccably composed and not at all sugary, these instrumentals are excellent for meditation, productivity, or just enjoying the positive vibes.

Unlike most ambient music, ‘Blind Meadow’ isn’t transcendental or harmonically chaotic. Rather, the melodies and structure are quite clear-cut and come through easily for an enjoyable, though not very challenging listen.

We appreciate Rains’ talent for texture and the way he uses different instruments to create a positive, cheerful mood. It’s a dark world out there and his music makes for a much needed counterpoint to life’s lows.