Octavian Winters – Ondine – Skylight Webzine

In a world where music often serves as a portal to distant realms and untold stories, Octavian Winters’ “Ondine” emerges as a dreamy voyage into a mythical tragedy, weaving a tale of love and loss with the ebb and flow of the sea. This dream pop composition creates an ethereal experience that envelops listeners in a realm of sea nymphs and bittersweet longing, reminiscent of the works of Drab Majesty, Clan Of Xymox, and Cocteau Twins. “Ondine” opens like a secret whispered by the waves, drawing us into its world with delicate filigrees of sound. The music itself is an evocative tapestry, a portal that transports listeners to an enchanting realm inhabited by sea elementals. The courtly love depicted within the song’s lyrics finds its sonic counterpart in the ethereal vocals and goth-inspired guitars, painting a portrait of emotions that span the human and the mythical. The lyrics, penned by the talented Ria Aursjoen, capture the essence of the song’s theme—the eternal search for a love that slips away like water through fingers. The imagery of moonlit letters and slipping into the water infuses the narrative with an almost magical realism, tapping into the allure of ancient myths. “Ondine belle nuit / Cast stars upon my heart / Ondine belle nuit / Drown me in your arms,” the chorus croons, invoking a sense of yearning that echoes through the ages. The synergy between the vocal prowess of Ria Aursjoen and the atmospheric instrumentation, courtesy of Stephan Salit on guitars, is where the true enchantment of “Ondine” lies. Aursjoen’s vocals, ethereal and haunting, weave a thread between the earthly and the supernatural, while Salit’s guitars infuse the composition with a gothic edge that pays homage to the influences that inspired the track. The rhythm section, comprising Randy Gzebb on drums and Jay Denton on bass, provides the heartbeat of the song, grounding it in the tangible realm while allowing it to soar to otherworldly heights. The collective synergy of these musicians, under the banner of Octavian Winters, brings “Ondine” to life with a depth that resonates far beyond the sonic spectrum.