Dunes of Mykonos, the latest album by Thanassis Vasilopoulos, is a mesmerizing collection of instrumental tracks that transport the listener to the sun-drenched shores of Greece. Vasilopoulos, a master of the bouzouki, infuses each song with his signature style, blending traditional Greek melodies with contemporary instrumentation and production.
From the opening track, "Mykonos Sunrise," which features a haunting bouzouki riff over a pulsing electronic beat, to the closing track, "Island Dreams," which evokes the gentle lapping of waves on a sandy beach, Dunes of Mykonos is a cohesive and immersive listening experience. Vasilopoulos's virtuosic playing is front and center on every track, but he also incorporates a variety of other instruments and sounds, including strings, percussion, and atmospheric synths.
The album's standout track is "Mediterranean Nights," a sultry and seductive composition that builds to a fiery climax of bouzouki and drums. Other highlights include "Ouzo Nights," a lively and upbeat track that would be right at home in a Greek taverna, and "Aegean Breeze," a dreamy and atmospheric piece that captures the essence of the Greek islands.