Watercolored Dives Deep with Ambitious Concept Album ‘Tears of the Sea’

There’s something hypnotic about stepping into the depths of Watercolored—like being pulled underwater by a gentle current you didn’t see coming. The cinematic indie project, masterminded by composer and producer Itai Bauman, released “Tears of the Sea” on April 29th, and the 11-track, 45-minute concept album continues to garner attention more than six weeks after its release.

Bauman describes the project as “a concept album that portrays a journey through the oceans outside and within.” That oceanic theme runs through the album’s structure, with tracks flowing into each other like waves—sometimes violent, sometimes gentle, always purposeful. Each song functions as its own chapter, weaving individual stories of sound and emotion into a larger narrative arc.

The album opens with “A Dream,” which immediately establishes its setting through a stark declaration: “You are in a small boat in the middle of the ocean. You are alone.” This haunting opener sets the stage for an album that refuses to follow conventional formulas or chase current trends, instead navigating uncharted waters much like the solitary boat it describes—alone but purposeful in its journey through unexplored musical territory.

While every track serves the album’s larger narrative, “Dominos” stands out as particularly compelling. The third track captures the ache of departure with delicate yet purposeful guitar strums that build through carefully layered atmosphere. Its exploration of not being able to stay, of having to go away, creates something that resonates beyond the album’s runtime. Not only will the memories stay, but this song will, too—a sentiment that feels both personal and universal in the context of the album’s oceanic metaphors.

The track sequencing reveals careful consideration of emotional arc throughout. “The Sailor” serves as a standout at the album’s emotional core with beautiful keys, building with cinematic swells and quiet resolve, while “Ship” explores more introspective territory through duet layered vocals. “Pieces” and “In the Dark Water” add depth to the album’s middle section, while “Little Death” provides contemplative space before the album concludes with the title track “Tears of the Sea.”

The contrast between tracks creates a nice dynamic flow—”The Chase” delivers emotional urgency and pulsing rhythms before “Ocean Stream” shifts into hazier, more contemplative spaces. “Ocean Stream” holds particular significance, having been inspired by late-night moments of introspection on a Berlin rooftop during Bauman’s time in the city. “Waterflowers” incorporates dream-pop elements, showcasing Bauman’s range in theme and depth.

The production and engineering work represents exceptional craftsmanship, with every instrument occupying distinct space and crystal-clear definition. Orchestral arrangements reveal individual string parts, electronic textures maintain clarity without muddying the mix, and ambient synths create enveloping atmosphere without overwhelming other elements. Bauman’s background with both analog and digital sound sources manifests in meticulous layering where each field recording serves the larger emotional narrative, while dynamic engineering allows the album to breathe naturally. Ranges shift seamlessly between intimate piano moments and full orchestral swells with organic transitions, creating atmosphere that builds and recedes like actual tides through precise attention to frequency spectrum placement.

The influence of art-rock acts like Porcupine Tree, Mercury Rev, and The Divine Comedy appears throughout, but filtered through Bauman’s distinctive creative perspective rather than direct imitation. This approach reflects his diverse musical background, which began at Israel’s Rimon Contemporary Music School before continuing to Berlin for electronic music production studies, where he gained recognition under the alias sevensoulssevenseas. After earning a master’s in Composition for Media from ThinkSpace Education in 2021, he relocated to Costa Rica, channeling this varied experience into Watercolored’s most cohesive statement.

The album takes a borderless approach, moving fluidly from classically-oriented compositions to haunting progressive elements. This range succeeds because everything serves the larger emotional narrative, with production quality ensuring each genre shift feels intentional rather than disjointed.

Three singles preceded the full album release, offering glimpses into the project’s conceptual depth. The album functions as what critics have described as cathartic and nuanced—the type of record that reveals new layers with repeated listening, partly because the engineering allows for detailed listening experiences that reward attention.

“Tears of the Sea” demonstrates that independent artists can create genuinely immersive experiences when prioritizing emotional storytelling alongside world-class production values. It serves as a reminder of what albums can accomplish when artists think beyond individual tracks.

The album is available across all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. Fans can follow Watercolored on Instagram and Facebook, or check out additional content on YouTube.