There’s both a thousand ways to describe ‘Sent From Above’, Rivi Tiber’s newest single, and no way; it’s a true work of art that takes many liberties with very few components while also being packed with some of the most exciting song writing written in a long time, akin to legends such as Cody Fry, Jacob Collier, and Daniel Ceaesar.

Sent from Above is extremely minimalistic in its instrumentation. Though the song does develop to have far more layers as each bar progresses, the song mostly consists of voice and piano, who’s elegant jazzy chords are simply struck on each beat of the song. The extensions of each of those chords permit the harmonies to explore regions that triads usually don’t invite. River’s layered voice opens the song, which then opens into a thick multi-dimensional chant singing ‘Sent From Above’. Each time the line is repeated at the end of each repetition, new layers are added, either as extra harmonies or counter melodies. There’s a small break where the choir takes the spotlight, bringing the listener to a blissful state. It’s a bittersweet feeling, almost like the feeling of letting go, knowing how much doing so will help you. I couldn’t help but feel like this song served as some sort of purgatory, the place between life and death. It’s hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking all at once.

There are more keys that add to the soundscape mostly provided by the vocals, and a vocoded lead takes the spotlight for only a moment. The chant is sung one last time, and abruptly, the song is over, once again strengthening my theory that this is some sort of representation for the acceptance of death, whether through the lyrics or the music. 

‘Sent From Above’ is a masterpiece, and a song that will either benefit you or hurt you by looping it. It’s a beautiful audio exploration into your own soul, and how you interpret the concept of acceptance. River Tiber made one for the books with ‘Sent From Above’. 

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.