With the release in 2013 of his Cantaloupe Music debut Evensong, Caleb Burhans laid the groundwork for his singular "emo-classical" style—a poignant and devotional mode of composition that draws equally from sacred and secular source material. Past Lives continues that narrative thread; as Burhans himself tells it: "For the past twenty years, my music has dealt almost exclusively with themes of grief. Past Lives is a collection of four of these works, reflecting on years lost to addiction and fallen friends." As a longtime member of Alarm Will Sound, Burhans has had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of musicians and composers. On Past Lives, he pays tribute to Jason Molina (through the guitar work of Simon Jermyn), and enlists JACK Quartet and Duo Harpverk to convey an intimate, personal and deeply contemplative message of contrition, acceptance and transcendence. He also displays his talents as a multi-instrumentalist and produ...