Cosmic Lark by Lyrella

‘Cosmic Lark’ by Lyrella is an instrumental collaboration conceived/directed by Cheryl Stringall (Sunn Creative), co-written and produced by Tony Lowe (ESP Project) of 8 compositions and musical interludes, largely improvised with rhythmic, atmospheric, and melodic features. A unique and mysterious musical journey with additional Art by Cheryl. Produced by Tony Lowe.
“Cosmic Lark is an ingenious and fascinating cascade of musical imagination which frolics on the shores of jovial creativity and delights in the symphonic treasures it playfully presents to the listener. It is the richest of orchestral feasts, fashioned with deeply nuanced finesse and served with inventive elegance. From start to finish, it is utterly spellbinding.” -Rob Fisher – The Progressive Aspect – Full Review - https://theprogressiveaspect.net/blog/2025/03/24/lyrella-cosmic-lark/
“A superb album of instrumental prog from the ESP Project/Sunn Creative stable” - Shaun Geraghty - The Prog Mill
Cosmic Lark is an instrumental collaboration conceived and conducted by Cheryl Stringall (Sunn Creative), co-written and produced by Tony Lowe (Esp Project). This debut album features 8 compositions and musical interludes, largely improvised with strong rhythmic, atmospheric, and melodic characteristics. With strong nods to the Berlin School, Cosmic Lark 's progressive sound is woven by Tony's soulful guitar playing, mesmerizing keyboards, and additional percussion from Cheryl. Lyrella is a place of intense artistic creation, a kind of unique musical journey, intense, mysterious, and elegant, also magnified by Cheryl's stunning artwork and superbly produced by Tony. - Cosmos Music
Album Creation Backstory - https://dustinmyeye.substack.com/p/cosmic-lark
Release 28th Feb 2025 on here as well as iTunes and Amazon. With nods to prog, electronic, alternative rock, and progressive sound-track music, ‘Cosmic Lark’ is woven throughout by Tony’s soulful guitar playing, haunting keyboards with additional percussion by Cheryl. Approx. 54 min long. Each digital composition has original artwork by Cheryl.
A series of premium, limited edition,140x140 mm original gift cards (blank inside) with envelopes, featuring selected art by Cheryl from the compositions is also available while supplies last.
YouTube Promo - https://youtu.be/1DiXrvnCUEQ
"There is now little doubt that I seem to have an unshakable connection with the music of multi-instrumentalist Tony Lowe, as I own all of his ESP Project albums as well as all its offshoots, which now includes this new 2025 stunner. Together with Sunn Creative owner Cheryl Stringall on percussion, who also doubles as a visual artist in terms of luxuriant paintings and top-notch packaging, Tony sets the sails into a more electronic-tinged, modern interpretation that still refuses to not shy away from sweeping melodies and orchestrations." Full review by Prog Rogue https://houseofprog.com/lyrella-uk-cosmic-lark/
"Lyrella is Tony Lowe and Cheryl Stringall and 'Cosmic Lark' is their uplifting new album. Lowe's guitars and keyboards create widescreen soundscapes and captivating melodies, familiar to all ESP-Project watchers, and Stringall brightens up the programmed rhythms with added percussion. Like all Sunn Creative releases, the packaging is gorgeous and the limited-edition CD comes with additional original artwork by Stringall, tying in with the moods conjured by the album's 8 tracks." - Gareth Page - Prog Blog
“I love this album” -Peter Coyle
“The beautiful Lyrella album has such great atmospheres, it’s almost cinematic! The positive vibe of the album is great and the album artwork as well as the bonus cards are beautiful.” -Aad
“Cosmic Lark is amazing! It just arrived to me today on the US west coast. I am loving it!” -Wes
Cosmic Lark is dedicated to the memory of Pamela Stringall and Patty Harden, whose enthusiasm for life, and strength of spirit influenced the compositions. They both passed on during its creation and are greatly missed.
Tony Lowe is a multi-instrumentalist and has composed and produced many different genres of music, including nine highly acclaimed ESP Project albums. Besides producing all the Sunn Creative releases, has worked with Roger Daltrey, Modern English, Pet Shop Boys, Julian Lennon, Julien Clerc (France), Peter Coyle (The Lotus Eaters), and Mark Brzezicki (Big Country), As well as playing on many recordings at Trident Studios London, he developed artists and artist material for various publishers and record labels, including Island Records, Red Bus Records, and Hannah Management. He produced albums for David Cross & Robert Fripp (King Crimson); David Cross & Peter Banks which included Pat Mastelotto, Tony Kaye, Billy Sherwood, Randy Raine-Reusch, Oliver Wakeman, Jay Schellen, Jeremy Stacey, Geoff Downes (Yes); Toyah; Simon Townshend (The Who) and many more.
Cheryl Stringall, aka String, hails from an artistic/musical California family and began drawing colourful mandalas around age five, playing guitar and singing at twelve, also as a teen taking up percussion and then later revisiting keyboards during lockdown in 2020. Cheryl is the owner of the Sunn Creative indie imprint label with over one-hundred, 4-4.5 out of 5-star reviews for numerous releases by the music press. She is the graphic artist/photographer, and designer for most albums and as the label manager, photographer, videographer, and content creator worked with musicians; Peter Coyle (The Lotus Eaters), Mark Brzezicki (Big Country), David Cross (King Crimson), Simon Townshend (The Who), David Jackson (Van der Graaf Generator). Played keyboards live in 2022 for ESP Project gigs with Tony Lowe and Peter Coyle featuring the album ‘Anarchic Curves’ and plays on some of the later ESP Project albums as well as varied percussion on ‘Cosmic Lark’. She now lives in the UK.
Tracklist
1. | Rhythm and Muse | 6:59 |
2. | Golden Threads | 5:50 |
3. | Caves of Silver | 8:55 |
4. | Finding Deeper Levels | 5:17 |
5. | In the Crystal Cathedral | 4:33 |
6. | Spirit Horse | 7:30 |
7. | Waking to the Cosmic Lark | 6:53 |
8. | Safe Havens | 7:51 |
Credits
Music : Tony Lowe & Cheryl Stringall
Tony Lowe : Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drum Programmes
Cheryl Stringall : Additional Percussion
Produced & Arranged by Tony Lowe
Mastered by Barry Gardner
Art : Cheryl Stringall
CD Design & Layout : Cheryl Stringall
Recorded & Manufactured in England
All tracks copyright control MCPS/PRS/PPL
License
All rights reserved.
Tony Lowe, a multi-instrumentalist composer, produced nine acclaimed ESP Project albums, worked with Roger Daltrey, Modern English, Pet Shop Boys, Julian Lennon, Julien Clerc, Peter Coyle, Mark Brzezicki, producing albums for David Cross/Robert Fripp; David Cross/Peter Banks; Toyah; Simon Townshend (The Who). Cheryl Stringall, Sunn Creative label owner, artist, and musician for ESP Project.