Pierpont & Helgeson: Of Time [Album Review]

Pierpont & Helgeson
Of Time
Secret Stash Records [2025]

“Pierpont and Helgeson build a world of mood and motion that hooks you long before the final scene.”

Album Overview: Cy Pierpont and Riley Helgeson first crossed paths while playing in Sonny Knight and The Lakers, a group steeped in vintage soul. After Sonny Knight’s passing and the band’s breakup, Pierpont stepped away from performing and built a small home studio. That space became the starting point for their new collaboration. What began as informal jams under the name The Hi Bridge Band soon shifted into something more cinematic. A few early sketches hinted at a moodier, scene driven direction, and the pair followed the spark. Their partnership grew from shared instincts, curiosity, and a desire to tell stories through sound rather than vocals.

Of Time plays like a string of connected scenes, each built around mood, pacing, and imagination. Every track feels like a moment inside a larger narrative, carried by steady grooves and instrumentation that shifts to match the atmosphere. Instead of treating this like a traditional band record, they approached it as a creative workshop, bringing in musicians only when the composition needed it. The result flows like a film score: focused, cohesive, and shaped by recurring themes that guide the listener from start to finish.

Musical Style: The music blends smooth melodic ideas with bold rhythmic choices and a love of texture. Organ, guitar, horns, congas, bongos, woodwinds and unexpected instruments each take their turn steering the mood. The rhythm section keeps everything grounded while leaving space for mystery, excitement, and calm. Their affection for classic soundtrack composers is clear, but the crisp production and pacing make the album feel fully present day. This is not background music. It draws you in and holds your attention.

Evolution of Sound: Pierpont and Helgeson began with loose R and B sketches, but once they leaned into cinematic structures, the project snapped into focus. Early experiments showed that these pieces worked best as themes rather than traditional songs. That realization shaped the entire record. The duo became more deliberate with arrangement, bringing in instruments to match the feel of each track instead of sticking to a fixed lineup. Of Time reflects that growth and confidence. It captures two musicians expanding their palette while staying true to a shared mood.

Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Piero Umiliani and Lalo Schifrin, both masters of film and television scoring, will recognize the same flair for rhythm, tension, and atmosphere here. Modern listeners who vibe with the groove forward instrumental worlds of Surprise Chef, Misha Panfilov, or Organic Pulse Ensemble will find this record sliding comfortably into rotation.

Pivotal Tracks: “Kaleidoscope” has a steady pulse and shifting melodies that hint at something lurking just out of view. It creates that playful, uneasy feeling of checking over your shoulder. “Bad Machine” raises the urgency with tight drums and a rising sense of motion that leans deeper into soul. “Zaragoza” earns its spotlight thanks to the trumpet surge in its final stretch, delivering one of the album’s most striking moments. Closer “Billy the Kid” blends dusty guitar tones with a rhythmic drive that feels like a story unfolding across the horizon. Together these tracks show how Of Time balances mood and movement.

Lyrical Strength: Since Of Time is fully instrumental, its “lyricism” comes from phrasing and emotional direction. Pierpont and Helgeson let melodies speak: horn lines that suggest longing, warm keyboard contours that soften edges, guitars that bring tension or calm when needed. Every piece communicates with clarity, no words required.

Final Groove: Of Time delivers a sharp mix of groove, imagination, and atmosphere. It is cinematic without feeling distant, soulful without leaning too hard on nostalgia, and detailed enough to reward repeat plays. Pierpont and Helgeson sound locked in and ready for whatever comes next. If this debut is the opening scene, the rest of their story should be even more compelling.

PIERPONT & HELGESON LINKS
Website | Secret Stash Records