Jesusfreakhideout.com celebrates 30 Years online in 2026... Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation August 13, 2026!

Swimming With Dolphins
Ambient Blue EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 5 tracks: 23 minutes, 42 seconds
Street Date: September 2, 2008


 
  
AmbientBlueEP
READER RATING:  AmbientBlueEP
/ 5.0 (0 votes)

It won't take many listens to notice two things about Swimming With Dolphins. For one, they don't fall far from the Owl City tree, and secondly, their music is just as good. The sound quality may not be up to par with what Adam Young had to work with on his debut album Ocean Eyes, but every song on Ambient Blue is inventive, catchy, and lengthy for just a five-song EP. It's a bit more experimental, however.

The first song, "Silhouettes," starts with the vocals of featured singer Breanne Duren. It's a great song that does an equally great job of introducing Austin Tofte and the album. Next is "Pajama Party," which has an infectious beat and is a welcomed addition to Ambient Blue. "Sunset 1989" might be the weakest link on the album simply for its sloppy and, frankly, awkward chorus. Some listeners may take a liking to it (as I slowly, slowly did), but it stands out, in a negative way, more than the others. "Everything's A Miracle" is a highlight, and though it follows a similar deliberate choppiness as the prior track, it's successful as a fun dance song that would even work at a club. The vocals have a cool way of blending into the synthesizers. Lastly is "Up In The Stars," which links perfectly with the way the album started. The first and last songs are probably the two most mainstream in sound on the project, so they did a good job of ordering the songs.

Before you check out Water Colours, or even if you already have, give this Swimming With Dolphins' debut EP, Ambient Blue, a listen. It's most certainly worth it.

- Review date: 5/25/11, written by Ben Cardenas of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Listen to the new album from ENOK

 

JFH Reader Review




Before Adam Young rocketed to fame with Owl City and his hit single "Fireflies," he was involved in a small multitude of musical projects. Two in particular stuck out; the instrumental Port Blue and Swimming With Dolphins. Despite the odd name, Swimming With Dolphins is sure to win over techno and synth fans. One will instantly notice that instead of Adam Young (who acts as producer), his friend Austin Tofte takes control of the vocal department. While not as charming as Adam, Austin does a fine job, and is sometimes joined by Breanna Duren.

The Ambient Blue EP starts off with "Silhouettes," a shimmering, slower techno song. As usual, the production from Adam Young is almost perfect. The title of the next song, "Pajama Party" is a good indicator of the feel, which is fun and a little bouncy. "Sunset, 1989" features an odd effect which is reminiscent of a skipping CD, only more pleasant. Some people will find this bothersome, but it kind of works. One of the highlights is the beautiful "Everything's a Miracle." It could be interpreted as a worship song ("You put the clouds aside, illuminate the sky, through every dark and hazy night you are my guide"), and again features the "skipping" effect, only it works better here. "Up in the Stars" ends the EP with a love song that would easily win over Owl City fans who love songs like "Vanilla Twilight."

Swimming with Dolphins shows a more serious side of Adam Young. Most of the songs appear to deal with relationships, with the exception of "Everything's a Miracle." Fans of Andy Hunter, The Echoing Green and a more serious Owl City should find this project appealing.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 6/23/10, written by Taylor McBurney for Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

Record Label: None
Album length: 5 tracks: 23 minutes, 42 seconds
Street Date: September 2, 2008
Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Silhouettes (5:50)
  2. Pajama Party (3:50)
  3. Sunset, 1989 (3:19)
  4. Everything's A Miracle (5:41)
  5. Up In The Stars (5:02)

 

JFH Sample the Music

 

 

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Listen to the new album from ENOK

Search JFH



This Tuesday, September 15
SINGLES
Grace Frances The Promised Land - Single (independent)

This Friday, September 18
ALBUMS
Anthony Brown & group therAPy Full Disclosure [Tyscot]
Cory Asbury Outsing The Angels [BEC]
Franni Cash Here I Am [Capitol CMG]
for KING & COUNTRY the most beautiful colours [Curb Records]
Hillside Recording Proverbs & Prayers (Morning) (independent)
Jaye King All God, Not Me [Centricity]
Living Again Living Again II (independent)
Joseph O'Brien What's Good For Me? [Gotee]
Set For The Fall I Said What I Said [Vere]
Zauntee GOD REMEMBERS [BEC]

SINGLES
2 Lane Summer Lean On Me - Single [QHMG]
Alphein HIGHER - Single [Syntax]
Chris Caro Outcast - Single [Syntax]
ChristianXXII Lift Me Up - Single [Dream]
Anne Elise Changing - Single [NCS]
Evelyn Cormier + Rain City Worship The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) - Single [BEC]
Dex the nerd who loves Jesus I'm So Old School - Single [Syntax]
Dreamers The God Who Goes Before Me - Single [Dream]
eddieM Your Way - Single [Syntax]
Exline Key West - Single (independent)
Future of Forestry Density of a Star - Single (independent)
Grace Graber Jericho - Single (independent)
Josh Grove I'm Done Running - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv, MAYIA WARREN & Bill B. God Did - Single [Syntax]
Harvey Watkins Jr. and The Canton Spirituals Still Winning - Single [WayNorth]
iNTELLECT, Elan Brio Good Vibe - Single [Polished Arrow]
The Kingdom Heirs I Take It To The Lord - Single [Sonlite]
Leem of the Earth The Greatest Gift - Single [Velvet Blue]
The Lighthouse Boys America Bless God - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm Kick It To My Twin (ft. DreBreeze Da Godson & DKG KIE) - Single [Curb]
Miles Minnick, Lecrae, nobigdyl. Christlike University - Single [Reach]
Kevi Morse It's your time - Single [Syntax]
Lloyd Nicks Can't Take My Eyes Off Heaven - Single [Curb]
Northview Worship Praise God for His Mercy - Single [BEC]
outr.cty Beautiful Dreamer - Single [Syntax]
Matthew Plante GOD FEARING! - Single [Dream]
Q-Flo Wild Flower 8 - Single [Syntax]
QEW & Cyrus Sonata Majin - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows hidden treasure - Single [Dream]
Allan Scott Foxhole Prayers - Single [Dream]
Victory House Worship Returning - Single (independent)
Tauren Wells Here Comes the Church (feat. Tiffany Hudson) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matthew West Younger Me - Single [Story House / Provident]
Whosoever South Y'all My People - Single (independent)

VINYL
Newsboys Not Ashamed [Magenta] Vinyl [Girder]

Next Tuesday, September 22
ALBUMS
PFR Target & The Arrow (independent)

Next Friday, September 25
ALBUMS
Altarheart Prone To Wander [Rottweiler]
ANTHNY Worship Leader's Diary [SONY/Provident]
Brotality Jaws of the Earth (independent)
Forsaken Eternity Shades of Existence - EP [Rottweiler]
gio. PROMISE LAND [Capitol CMG]
Red Worship Witness (independent)
Stryper Throne of Thorns [Frontiers]
We Are Messengers Halfway Home [Curb]
Matthew West Jesus is King [Provident]
The Wood Drake Sessions East to West (independent)

SINGLES
Mackenzie Phillips Made - Single [Gotee]
River Valley Worship King of the Empty Grave - Single [BEC]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images

 

All sales made through this link support Jesusfreakhideout.com
All materials copyright of Jesusfreakhideout.com   ©1996-2026 Jesus freak Hideout. *Celebrating 30 Years* All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy