Synesthesia Meets Sound: Jacqueline Cordes’ Illusions of Amethyst Is a Delicate Sonic Journey

Jacqueline Cordes is a twenty-two-year-old neoclassical composer with synesthesia, a neurological phenomenon that causes sensory crossovers, like tasting colours or feeling sounds. Driven by a quest to conjure up a wide variety of immersive and imaginative worlds, the Los Angeles-based composer released her stunningly beautiful debut album, Singularity, last year. Now, she's gearing up for album number two, and Illusions of Amethyst offers a delicate preview of what listeners can expect. 

Hauntingly ethereal and exquisitely graceful, Jacqueline's new piece waltzes in minor-key splendour. To her, however, it's not just a series of notes; it's a purple and violet sonic landscape. Otherworldly and filled with a sense of vastness and space, Illusions of Amethyst drifts through the air with cinematic poise, inviting listeners in as opposed to demanding their attention.

A song that will form part of Cordes' sophomore album, Frozen Star, Illusions of Amethyst leaves no doubt that we're dealing with an incredibly gifted musician. Inspired by the likes of Danny Elfman, Radiohead, Trent Reznor, and Dead Can Dance, Jacqueline Cordes brings forth a nuanced and emotionally deep sound - a truly impressive feat for someone so young in a genre often built on experience.