Artist rsrch chmcls, otherwise known as Ethan Uellendahl, dropped an alluring album this month that has had the Electric Hawk team buzzing! Dreams of Reality is a 10-track electronic project that moves through different tones and energies without drawing hard lines between them. The album, released February 3rd, has tracks that feel connected in a way that makes context matter as much as sound.
One way we approached this album here at Electric Hawk is by asking what setting it fits – examining what kind of moment, experience, or headspace it complements. Below is a track-by-track listening pairing guide that approaches the album from a different angle by pairing each song with the kinds of environments, moods, or everyday moments where music meets real-life harmony.
“The main themes of the album are growth and self expression. Writing this body of work has helped me transform as an artist in a massive way. I wanted to encompass many different styles of music that inspire me, to create something that is both unique and from my heart. Music is so powerful and for me personally, it is a way to let out all of my emotions and express myself fully. I hope it can inspire some people out there to create something that feels true to themselves and not chase trends.”
– rsrch chmcls
“Dreams of Reality”
Pairs best with:
• Staring out of an airplane window at night
• A long bath with the lights off and your favorite candle going
• Watching city lights from a high window
• The first few minutes of a warm-up
This track is a stellar entry point to the album. It pairs with many thresholds; anywhere your brain is already drifting, it can accompany you.
“Forrest Spirit”
Pairs best with:
• Walking (you guessed it) in the forest the morning after it rains.
• A wooded trail walk at golden hour
• Being slightly lost on purpose
• Late afternoon kayaking
This piece might listen best in environments that feel alive, yet grounded. This track leans organic in tone, and the sound design feels spacious and alive!
“Ocean Breeze”
Pairs best with:
• Windows down on a slow morning drive (to the beach preferably)
• Stretching after being tense for too long
• Lying on the floor with sunlight across your face
• The first deep breath after an emotionally overwhelming moment
A true reset companion!
“Arrival”
Pairs best with:
• A crisp yerba as you head to work
• Touching down in a new city
• The last 10 minutes of your road-trip
• Post-shower reset
Listens well during moments of anticipation and motivation.
“Late Night Drive”
Pairs well with:
• A late-night drive after the show (duh)
• Driving with no destination
• Redeye flight takeoffs
• Taking the long way home
Solitary but not lonely. Best experienced in motion. The track introduces a sense of solitude, not isolation, but introspection. It captures the feeling of moving through space while staying inside your own head.
“‘Need Your Love‘ definitely resonates with me the most. I’ve been with the love of my life for two years now, and she is consistently my biggest supporter and inspiration. Love is such an incredible thing and I try to express elements of those feelings in my music to show just how meaningful it is. Also, to let those who have lost it know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Anyone can crawl out of the darkness, it’s never too late.”
– rsrch chmcls
“Need Your Love”
Pairs well with:
• A long hug that lasts just a few seconds longer than usual
• Texting someone you miss
• Slow dancing in a living room
• Grabbing someone’s hand and pulling them onto the dance floor
Warm, emotionally open. This is the red wine of the album FOR SURE. It’s so rich and connective. There’s a warmth in this track that contrasts with the cooler, earlier moments. It carries a subtle melodic vulnerability that shifts the album ever so slightly.
“Interdimensional”
Pairs well with:
• Stargazing
• Creative flow-state
• Taking the riskier route just to see where it leads
• Re-arranging your room
Disruptive and expansive. Best consumed when you’re ready to feel slightly unanchored. This track pairs with bold leaps where you move into unfamiliar space on purpose.
“Celestial”
Pairs well with:
• Floating in a pool at night
• Lying on your back in the dewy grass
• Breathwork or meditation
• Checking your horoscope
Weightless but structured. This track continues the expansion but smooths the edges introduced in Interdimensional.
“Way Beyond”
Pairs well with:
• Finishing a difficult project
• Waking up at camp at a festival
• Game night with friends
• Celebrating a big win
Big perspective energy. This pairs with moments of accomplishment or widened awareness.
“Daydream”
Pairs well with:
• The last few minutes before falling asleep
• A rainy afternoon
• Doing absolutely nothing on purpose
• Resetting your focus between chapters of the day
Soft landing. A nightcap. Subtle, reflective, and lingering.
“‘Dreams of Reality’ as a whole is very special to me for many reasons. This album was my first large piece that I’ve written since getting sober. Going into composing an album with a clear head for the first time and feeling fully inspired was extremely freeing. Also, this was the first album I wrote to intentionally all go together. In the past I would make a large playlist of unreleased music, then piece together what I thought would fit nicely. Writing each song with intention to flow together and tell a story was a very rewarding experience. It truly made the album feel more cohesive and impactful to me, and hopefully to all listeners as well.”
– rsrch chmcls
Across its 10 tracks and ~39-minute runtime, Dreams of Reality moves from grounded perception into abstraction and back again, using mood and pacing to carry its beautiful arc. This album reveals its full impact when experienced from beginning to end, as its creator envisioned.
Listen to Dreams of Reality by rsrch chmcls on SoundCloud below!
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Looking for new music? Keep up with our weekly Spotify Playlist, Fresh Hunts. Updated every Friday with all the latest releases. Whether it’s the newest drops from rsrch chmcls, all your favorite artists, some old-school, or underground…we just want you to hear it.