“Every landscape hides another. Illusion of an Inland Ocean unfolds like the discovery of a place that has always existed just beyond recognition. Across eighteen interconnected compositions, Eric Angelo Bessel charts a hidden landscape assembled from familiar roads, forgotten infrastructure, weathered shorelines, shifting light, and the quiet persistence of the natural world. Rather than telling a story, the album invites listeners to wander, following recurring landmarks as they gradually reveal unexpected connections beneath the surface of the ordinary world. Written, recorded, mixed, and produced entirely by Bessel, Illusion of an Inland Ocean expands the world of Visitation (2023) and Mirror at Night (2025) into his most expansive and quietly mysterious work to date.”

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Illusion of an Inland Ocean was written, recorded, mixed, and produced by Eric Angelo Bessel. Additional production by Jason Powers in Portland, Oregon. Illusion of an Inland Ocean was mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering in Chicago, Illinois. Photography, design, and layout by Eric Angelo Bessel. Illusion of an Inland Ocean releases October 30 2026 by Lore City Music.

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