Reviews, Quotes & Features

Elemental Essence: A Neurosonic Journey debuted at #14 on the One World Music Radio Top 100 Chart!

One World Music Radio — United Kingdom

Sharing the chart with celebrated artists including David Lanz, David Arkenstone, Robert Scott Thompson, Kerani, and Dino Pacifici. 

The album has been featured across multiple OWMR programs including the New Age Radio Show, Mini Playlist, and Impressions, with Where the Wind Dreams opening New Age Radio Show #52. 

Host and reviewer Steve Sheppard called it "a great album" on air and wrote in his review "I would recommend this release in a heartbeat and predict a healthy voyage in the charts for Elemental Essence: A Neurosonic Journey by Ellen Johnson."

STARS END - WXPN 88.5 FM, Philadelphia

Featured “Amphitrite's Longing” 

One of the longest running ambient radio programs in the world, airing on WXPN Philadelphia since 1976. A gold standard for ambient and space music, broadcasting Saturday nights into Sunday morning.

KTEP 88.5 FM — Audiosyncracy, El Paso TX
Featured “Threads Between the Stars,” “ Sirius Spirit,” and “Where the Wind Dreams” on three separate programs beginning June 2026.

 

 

 

WYSO 91.3 FM — Alpha Rhythms, Yellow Springs OH
Featured “Roots Beneath the Horizon” and “Where the Wind Dreams”

WMNR Fine Arts Radio 88.1 FM — Connecticut
Featured “Roots Beneath the Horizon” on the Good Folk & The Gallery program.

Jonathan Widran

The JW Vibe

6/19/2026

Click to read full review

“Ultimately, Elemental Essence: A Neurosonic Journey succeeds because it functions simultaneously as personal testimony, artistic exploration and invitation. Whether listeners approach it through the lens of ambient music, meditation, neuroscience, vocal experimentation or simple curiosity, Ellen offers a doorway into a world where sound becomes both expression and discovery."

"In an era increasingly defined by distraction and fragmentation, it’s refreshing to experience an artist willing to slow down, listen deeply and create from a place of genuine purpose.”

“Yet the deeper one immerses in this ambitious five-part exploration of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether, the more apparent it becomes that Ellen has not departed from her life’s work and musical/spiritual mission at all. Rather, she has arrived at a point where seemingly disparate passions that have guided her for decades—jazz improvisation, vocal experimentation, sound healing, neuroscience, creativity, spirituality and storytelling—have artfully converged into a singular impactful artistic statement. The result is not merely a five-track EP but a multi-dimensional sonic experience that feels like the culmination of a lifetime spent exploring the many ways music can move, inspire, comfort and transform us”.

"One of the album's most fascinating dimensions is the way Ellen employs her voice not merely as a singer but as an entire ecosystem of sounds."

"Despite the sophisticated science woven into its architecture, Elemental Essence never feels clinical or academic; the technology serves the artistic vision rather than the other way around."

“What makes the piece especially compelling is its refusal to choose between accessibility and experimentation. Even amid its unusual collection of sounds, Ellen demonstrates a keen composer’s instinct for melody, momentum and narrative direction. The result is simultaneously grounding and provocative, inviting listeners into unfamiliar territory while providing enough musical structure to keep them engaged.”

 

 

“Johnson’s work is a testament to the power of music as a vehicle for healing, transformation, and finding one’s way home.”  

- Keith Hannaleck, New Age-Ambient-Meditation Review

And featured on:

 

"What sets this release apart is its foundation in scientifically substantiated neuroacoustic research: every composition utilizes precisely calibrated brainwave synchronization frequencies. (Wat deze release onderscheidt, is de basis in wetenschappelijk onderbouwd neuro-akoestisch onderzoek: elke compositie maakt gebruik van nauwkeurig gekalibreerde hersengolfsynchronisatiefrequenties.)"

"New Age, therefore, but also Ambient and even suitable for meditation. ("New Age dus, maar ook Ambient en zelfs geschikt voor meditatie.)" 

-  Patrick Van de Wiele,  CultuurMania 

Thrilled to receive a 4/5 review from Belgium's CultuurMania!

 

 

“Elemental Essence: A Neurosonic Journey is a transcendent choice for connoisseurs of new age music, highly recommended.” 

- Andrea Kay, Midwest Book Review

https://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/jul_26.htm#andreakay

Reaching Listeners Around the World

Featured on One World Music Radio

Elemental Essence featured across multiple One World Music Radio programs, bringing the music to an international new age and ambient audience

Steve Sheppard, One World Music Radio (July 8, 2026)
"One of the most creative pieces I have heard from this genre this year." (on Roots Beneath the Horizon)

"The vocalisations are perfect, as is the floating and graceful instrumentation." (on Amphitrite's Longing)

"Sirius Spirit is one of the most fascinating and well-constructed pieces from the release."

"I would recommend this release in a heartbeat and predict a healthy voyage in the charts for Elemental Essence: A Neurosonic Journey by Ellen Johnson."
— Full review: stevesheppardmusicreviews.blogspot.com

 

One World Music Radio — New Age Radio Show #51
One World Music Radio — Mini Playlist #567
One World Music Radio — Impressions #37 (Fred Grenot) — Amphitrite's Longing

 https://stevesheppardmusicreviews.blogspot.com/2026/07/elemental-essence-neurosonic-journey-by.html