Welcome to another entry of my \u27ea REW | FF \u27eb<\/strong> column, where I take a quick look back and then glance forward to some music that has appeared on my rotations. I\u2019ve got a very diverse selection of genres for you today. First up is the incredible Soothsayers<\/em> on the unstoppable A Strangely Isolated Place<\/strong> label. Olga Wojciechowska<\/strong>\u2018s unexpected transformation as part of Monoparts<\/strong> reveals yet another facet of this multi-instrumentalist\u2019s boundless creative mind. After captivating us with modern classical masterpieces like Infinite Distances<\/em><\/a> (ASIP, 2019) and her work as Stri\u00eb<\/strong><\/a>, Wojciechowska now unveils her haunting vocals on Soothsayers<\/em>, a collaboration with Tomasz Walkiewicz<\/strong>. The album traverses a primal landscape where Olga\u2019s delicate, spellbinding voice becomes the emotional nucleus, evoking comparisons to trip-hop pioneers while maintaining the atmospheric depth. And you know I\u2019m not really that into vocals. However, I do like Portishead. <\/strong>I like them a lot! Unlike the cinematic tendencies that pervaded her previous works, Soothsayers<\/em> plunges into primordial territories. \u201cThis album is like becoming one with the earth itself,<\/em>\u201d says Olga, \u201cfeeling the rawness of the wood, tasting the earth in your mouth, and sensing the presence of ancient spirits<\/em>. The music carries a deep, primal energy, like being part of the forest, with creatures watching you from the<\/em> shadows.<\/em>\u201d Walkiewicz\u2019s intricate beats and electronics create the perfect foundation for this journey. ASC <\/strong>also shows up with his d\u2019n\u2019b remix, amplifying the nostalgic essence that permeates throughout. This gorgeous record feels like rediscovering a forgotten pathway through Wojciechowska\u2019s labyrinth of sonic expression \u2013 one where the rustic and the ethereal intertwine to create something familiar and refreshingly unexpected. A modern electronic meets trip-hop marvel, deserving its inevitable selection on Headphone Commute\u2019s best of the year lists. I\u2019m very much impressed. Olga, you didn\u2019t tell me you can sing! For fans of Tricky<\/strong>, Massive Attack<\/strong>, and Martina Topley-Bird<\/strong>. Grab a gorgeous transparent maroon smoke 12\u2033 vinyl on Bandcamp<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Will Samson<\/strong> has always existed in the in-between spaces. On Songs Of Beginning And Belonging<\/em>, the British-born, Portugal-based artist finally seems at peace with this liminality. Recorded in his secluded Almada studio on the River Tejo (shared with Efterklang\u2019s Casper Clausen), this six-track collection reveals an artist shedding old wounds. Throughout the album, Samson\u2019s beloved 1970s Uher 4200<\/em> tape machine imparts a warmth and physicality that digital processing cannot reproduce. \u201cI wanted to make an ambient album that has melody and doesn\u2019t become self-indulgent or lost in effects,<\/em>\u201d says Samson. \u201cEverything was very intuitive but also very intentional.<\/em>\u201d The compositions embody this freedom\u2014both minimal and expansive, creating immersive environments that invite repeated listens. Where previous works explored displacement and searching, this Dauw<\/strong>-suggested work speaks to arrival. After pandemic disruptions derailed a major label deal, Samson has found renewal through introspection rather than industry validation. In a saturated ambient landscape, he has created something personal once again. A quiet triumph. Mastered by Taylor Deupree <\/strong>and available on a limited edition black vinyl. Fans of everything 12k<\/strong>, Home Normal<\/strong>, and, of course, Dauw<\/strong> will delight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nSongs Of Beginning And Belonging<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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