Alighted – Refuge EP via Garden Broom Recordings

12/03/2026

Written by:

Readingtime:

1–2 minutes

We often mistake “refuge” for a destination—a quiet, soft place where we are protected from the world. But for McLean, the artist behind Alighted, refuge is not a retreat from the world, but a way of standing within it. His latest EP, “Refuge,” is a sonic exploration of this internal anchor, dedicated to the Buddhist practices that have shaped his life over the last two years.

The project found its name through a moment of synchronicity when McLean encountered a collage by Vermont artist Vanessa Compton. The piece, also titled “Refuge,” struck a chord that resonated with his developing Dhamma practice. While many associate contemplative music with soft, ambient washes, “Refuge” is intentionally different. It is rugged and edgy, filled with granular textures, glitchy rhythms, and heavy sub-bass. It mirrors the reality of a meditative mind: often chaotic, occasionally abrasive, but always seeking a ground to stand on.

Long for the Wakeful, remixed by Ian Ellison

The four original tracks on the EP are a bridge between past and present—some are archival pieces revitalized with a new perspective, while others were captured in a few days of intense focus. Together with a remix by Ian Ellison, the collection serves as a “Triple Gem” of its own: a dedication to the teacher, the teachings, and the community.

Ultimately, “Refuge” is not an attempt to tell a personal story, but rather a gesture of profound gratitude. It is a “thank you” to the beliefs that make life worth living and a creative practice reimagined as an act of devotion. In a world of analog and digital chaos, Alighted invites you to find your own center within the noise.