Album: So There

Introduction
In 2015, American singer-songwriter Ben Folds launched his 8th studio album, "So There". The album features a special combination of Folds' signature design of piano-driven pop-rock merged with symphonic music components, supplied by the chamber sextet YMusic. The collaborative effort produced an eclectic blend of creative pop tunes, elaborate orchestral plans, and Folds' unique wit and reflective storytelling. "So There" likewise includes a recording of Folds' piano concerto, showcasing his skills as an author and his capability to successfully bridge the gap between pop and classical music.

Design and Composition
"So There" is a testament to Ben Folds' capability to attentively integrate apparently diverse musical styles. The album includes nine initial songs composed and arranged by Folds, with orchestration by prestigious musicians Rob Moose (Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens) and Pauline Kim Harris (String Noise). Teaming up carefully with the New York-based chamber ensemble YMusic, Folds includes the sextet's abilities in a manner that expertly matches his own piano playing and meaningful vocals. The result is an album that feels both familiar to fans of Folds' previous work while likewise charting new sonic territory.

The music of "So There" is lively, yet fully grown; featuring a mix of uptempo, feel-good pop tunes alongside heartfelt ballads. Folds' sharp wit shines through in the lyrics, from the humorously self-aware "So There" to the biting satire of "Phone in a Pool". However, the album likewise succeeds in offering introspective minutes, as Folds faces the obstacles of long-distance relationships ("Long Way to Go"), the concerns of aging ("Not a Fan"), and the fear of growing contented in life ("Capable of Anything").

Piano Concerto
A standout portion of "So There" is Folds' 21-minute piano concerto, which serves as the album's closer. The piece, just entitled "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra", is performed by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, carried out by Giancarlo Guerrero. Originally written in 2013, the concerto has three movements and highlights Folds' outstanding compositional abilities and ability for symphonic music.

Influenced by the similarity Mozart, Gershwin, and Philip Glass, Folds manages to develop a piano concerto that is both available to modern music fans and respected by classical music enthusiasts. Filled with soaring tunes, complicated rhythmic patterns, and emotive piano playing, the concerto is proof of Folds' adaptability as a musician and his eagerness to challenge himself creatively.

Reception and Legacy
"So There" received usually favorable evaluations from critics, praising its unique fusion of pop and symphonic music elements. Some veteran fans of Ben Folds found the album to be a refreshing and exciting departure from his earlier work, while others appreciated the familiar intricacies and humor that peppered the songs.

The album debuted at number 43 on the United States Billboard 200 chart and peaked at number 19 on the Top Rock Albums chart. "So There" also reached number one on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart, showcasing its success in bridging the gap in between the popular and symphonic music worlds.

In conclusion, Ben Folds' "So There" stands as an ambitious and engaging album that exemplifies the artist's imaginative range, his propensity for storytelling, and his extraordinary skill on the piano. By effectively linking pop sensibilities with classical influences, "So There" uses listeners a pleasurable and vibrant musical journey.