Pigeon Opinion Featuring an Interview with R3b3l I

R3b3l I’s A Different Frequency is a focused instrumental album that uses atmosphere and progression to tell a wordless story. Across twelve tracks, the record moves through lo-fi textures, jazz phrasing, soul warmth, and reflective electronic production, creating a sequence that feels personal without becoming abstract. Each piece works as a chapter, but the album’s strength is how naturally those chapters flow together. The closing track, “Ancestors,” gives the record a clear emotional anchor, tying memory and inheritance to the idea of purpose. A Different Frequency asks for attention, rewards patience, and leaves room for you to complete the story.

Interview with R3b3l I

What was the original idea that led you to create a fully instrumental narrative album?

The original idea came from realising that some of the most important experiences in my life couldn't easily be explained with words. Music became a way of expressing growth, struggle, curiosity, spirituality and self-discovery without needing to tell people exactly what to think. I wanted to create an album that felt like a journey, where each track was a chapter and the listener could bring their own experiences to complete the story.

How do you define “storytelling” when there are no lyrics involved?

For me, storytelling is about creating movement through emotion. Lyrics tell you what happened, but instrumental music allows you to feel what happened. Changes in harmony, rhythm, texture and energy can create tension, release, reflection and celebration. The listener becomes part of the storytelling process because they're filling in the details themselves.

Did you plan the emotional arc of the 12 tracks from the beginning, or did it evolve naturally?

A bit of both. Many of the tracks were written independently over time, but once I realised they belonged together, the bigger picture became clear. The sequencing was carefully considered so that the album gradually moves from possibility and aspiration toward self-awareness, gratitude and connection. It evolved naturally, but the final order was intentional.

What does the opening track need to establish in an album like this?

The opening track needs to create curiosity. Dance Before The Throne is about standing before something greater than yourself, whether that's your purpose, your future, or your own potential. It sets the tone for the journey ahead and invites the listener to step into the world of the album without revealing everything immediately.

How did you decide which emotions belong to each “chapter” of the journey?

I tried to follow what each piece naturally wanted to become rather than forcing an emotion onto it. Some tracks felt uplifting from the first note, others felt reflective or nostalgic. Once I saw the album as a story, it became about arranging those emotional states in a way that felt honest to personal growth: curiosity, confidence, setbacks, reflection, awakening and ultimately acceptance.

Can you talk about how lo-fi, jazz, and soul influences shaped the sound palette of the record?

Lo-fi gave me permission to embrace imperfection and atmosphere. Jazz brought freedom, movement and unexpected moments, while soul influenced the emotional core of the music. Together they allowed me to create something that feels intimate and human. Even without vocals, I wanted the music to feel like it had a heartbeat.

What role does repetition and restraint play in communicating emotion without words?

Repetition creates familiarity and space for reflection. Restraint allows the listener to meet the music halfway. I think some of the most powerful moments happen when you don't over-explain. A simple melody repeated at the right moment can carry more emotion than something technically complex.

How do you hope listeners interpret the album differently from one another?

I hope they interpret it completely differently. The album isn't meant to provide answers. It's meant to provide space. One person might hear resilience, another might hear healing, and someone else might simply hear a soundtrack to a moment in their life. All of those interpretations are valid.

Was there a track that surprised you emotionally once it was finished?

Heartbeat surprised me. What started as a simple piece gradually became something much deeper. Once it was finished, it felt less like a song and more like a reminder to slow down and reconnect with what really matters. It ended up carrying more emotional weight than I expected.

How does “Ancestors” function as the emotional or thematic conclusion of the album?

Ancestors represents perspective. Throughout the album there is a journey of becoming, but the final track reminds us that none of us exist in isolation. We are influenced by those who came before us, whether through family, culture, wisdom or unseen support. It closes the story by looking both backwards and forwards at the same time.

What does that title mean to you personally in the context of your journey?

A Different Frequency represents the moment I stopped chasing what I thought I was supposed to be and started listening to what genuinely resonated with me.

For a long time, I focused on external goals, expectations and definitions of success that didn't always align with who I was creatively or personally. Over time, through music and self-reflection, I began to realise that my path wouldn't necessarily look like everyone else's.

The title reflects that shift. It's about finding your own signal amongst all the noise, trusting your intuition and choosing authenticity over conformity. In many ways, the album documents that journey. Each track represents a different stage of growth, but together they tell the story of learning to tune into a frequency that was always there, waiting to be heard.

How do you approach creating cohesion across twelve instrumental pieces?

The cohesion comes from intention rather than similarity. Different tracks explore different moods, but they all belong to the same emotional universe. Consistent production choices, recurring themes of growth and self-discovery, and careful sequencing help tie everything together into a single experience.

What does “A Different Frequency” represent in terms of your artistic identity?

It represents choosing authenticity over expectation. Throughout life there can be pressure to fit into systems, routines and definitions created by other people. A Different Frequency is about recognising your own signal beneath all that noise and having the confidence to follow it. Artistically, it's the clearest reflection of who I am so far.

How do you want listeners to engage with this album—actively, passively, or meditatively?

Any of those approaches are welcome. The album can sit quietly in the background, but it can also reward deeper listening. Ideally, I hope people give themselves permission to slow down and spend time with it. It's music designed to meet people wherever they are.

What do you think instrumental music can express that vocal music sometimes cannot?

Instrumental music leaves room for mystery. Without lyrics, there are fewer boundaries around meaning. It can communicate emotions that don't yet have language attached to them. Sometimes a feeling is understood more deeply when it isn't explained.

How did your London environment influence the mood or texture of the project?

London is full of contrasts. It's busy and loud, yet moments of peace can appear unexpectedly. I think that contrast naturally found its way into the music. There are tracks that carry movement and momentum, while others create space for reflection. Living in London taught me to appreciate both.

When someone finishes the album, what emotional state do you hope they’re left in?

I hope they feel lighter. Not because every question has been answered, but because they've been reminded that growth is a journey rather than a destination. If someone finishes the album feeling more connected to themselves, then I've achieved what I set out to do.

If this album is a conversation, what is the listener contributing to it?

The listener contributes their own story. The music provides the framework, but their memories, emotions and experiences complete it. In that sense, every person who listens creates a slightly different version of the album. That's what makes instrumental music so powerful to me.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out R3b3l I on the Pigeon Opinion Playlist