In a world increasingly marked by division, Steven Chesne’s new album, “Descendants (in 79 Languages),” emerges bringing together the threads of our shared human heritage.
Released by Brahmasong Records, “Descendants (in 79 languages)”, is a groundbreaking concept album that defies genre constraints, blending World-Beat, Electronica, New Age, and Neo-Classic styles. At its heart lies the phrase “We are the descendants,” rendered in 79 languages including French, Portuguese, Igbo, Khmer, Xhosa, Korean, and Ukranian, creating a global chorus of unity.
Listen in here:
This ambitious project spanned four years. Composer Chesne began with very detailed translation efforts, enlisting native speakers to capture both accuracy and cultural nuance.
He then composed unique melodies for each phrase, transforming them into a cohesive musical soundscape. Each of the 79 tracks is layered in counterpoint like a Bach fugue; joyous dances, mysterious explorations, and contemplative orchestral pieces are woven together into a unifying eclectic style.
Over the next year, recording sessions unfolded with vocalists from places as diverse as Madagascar, Albania, Kenya, and the Netherlands. The final two years were devoted to refining the production and composing additional tracks.
Chesne says:
“It is a reminder to ourselves, and to others, that we all descend from a common source. We are made of the same material. We are unified even when we can’t see it. As we witness the fracturing of civilization, we can move the compass just a bit, by the reminder of these facts. It’s something familiar. Descendants is a reaffirmation of something we all know inside. And it’s heartening to remember.”
The repeated yet profound refrain, “We are the descendants,” serves as the foundation of each track, guiding the listener through a journey that is both joyous and contemplative.
This music traverses a wide spectrum of emotions and sounds, from uplifting world beats to deep, introspective melodies, creating an experience that nourishes the soul and honors global cultural heritage.
The album features an illustrious lineup of vocalists, including Platinum recording artist rapper Fredo Bang, Uyanga Bold (known for her work in Disney’s “Mulan” and Marvel’s “Spiderman”), Christine Hals (of Disney’s “Frozen” fame), Chhom Nimol (lead singer of “Peter Gabriel presents Dengue Fever”), members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and two-time Grammy award-winning vocalist Hila Plitmann.
The pre-released single “Liberators of Descendants” is a captivating track featuring a downtempo EDM style with a mysterious groove and a stirring, triumphant climax. The A-section presents vocalists singing in Ilongo, Dine (Navajo), Hindi, and Korean, while the B-section shifts to a more triumphant tone with Khmer, Gujarati, and Bosnian. Each vocalist chants “We are the descendants” in their native tongues.
“Pyramid Of Descendants” starts with a glitch vocal rhythm in Italian, and layers phrases in Balinese, Japanese, Dine (Navajo), and Hungarian, then evolving into a hypnotic loop that incorporates Azerbaijani, Cebuano, Thai, Xhosa, Macedonian, and Ukrainian.
Other standout tracks include the “Descendants’ Finale” which is an epic orchestral piece with a cinematic texture. 78 international voices are overlaid as a massive group, then overtaken by a symphony orchestra for a monumental finish.
Chesne’s global vision has culminated in a stunning fusion of 78 international vocal tracks, harmoniously intertwined with Fredo Bang’s compelling English rap verses.
Accompanying “Descendants (in 79 Languages)” is a visionary music video set in a futuristic, science fiction landscape.
About Steven Chesne
Steven Chesne’s musical journey is as eclectic and rich as his compositions. From his childhood love for the Beatles and Bob Dylan to his teenage years studying classical guitar, Chesne developed a profound appreciation for early music, particularly from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. His early experiments in progressive rock bands allowed him to explore complex musical structures.
By his early twenties, he was composing grand symphonies in the style of Sibelius and Bruckner, later transitioning to scoring for mainstream Hollywood TV and arthouse films. His versatility extended to producing New Age music albums, which became increasingly abstract and emotional.
In 2017, Chesne created “Sapient: A Cantata of Peace”, an epic work interweaving prayers for peace and unity from ten religious traditions into a complex, contrapuntal finale reminiscent of a Bach fugue. This project, which also took years in the making, exemplifies his ability to blend diverse elements into a cohesive whole.
“Descendants (in 79 languages)” is a profound artistic statement for an interconnected world, emphasizing our unbreakable ancestral bonds and celebrating the diversity that unites us.
Hats off to Steven Chesne and all of the musicians who dedicated themselves to this globally resonant collaboration.
Connect with Steven Chesne at www.chezworks.com
