Mary Sutton composes her music as Saloli for solo keyboard without any additional accompaniment or post-production. After releasing a 2018 debut containing pieces composed for a clothing-optional sauna, she issued two solo piano recordings, then returned to making music on a Sequential Circuits MultiTrak synthesizer with her second Kranky album, Canyon. Drawing from her Cherokee Nation heritage and the teachings that humans and animals are equal, the album is meant to portray the daily life of a bear in a canyon in the Smoky Mountains. Sutton's keyboard is fed through a delay pedal, contributing an effect similar to a canyon wall echo. Opener "Waterfall" appropriately has a dazzling pulse that imitates flowing water, creating a refreshing sound bath. Other pieces generally have curious, playful melodies that could easily soundtrack a nature documentary on public television. The brassy, Farfisa-like tone and triumphant melody of "Yona" make it a perfect theme song for a bear frolicking in the wilderness. "Snake" is more melancholy and oddly sentimental, while "Silhouette" is a barely conscious dreamscape evoking mysterious nighttime figures. "Nighthawk" is a gleeful, swaying piece resembling a more sedated version of something by an early electronic composer like Raymond Scott. "Sunrise" feels like a sort of counterpart to "Waterfall," except this time it's basking in a majestic glow of the sun's rays rather than bathing in a busy stream. Sutton succeeds at making vividly spirited music which effectively illustrates scenes from nature. ~ Paul Simpson