Vienna-based artist Alexander Nantschev blends a love for psychedelia and classical music on the enchanting Selves, his latest album. Atmospheric, spacious productions adorn a concept where each of the eight tracks represent a different personality — including “the happy, the guru, the hippie, the astronaut, the romantic, the classical composer, the rock star.”
“Trust” opens Selves with accessible enticement, remarking “there’s always a morning after the darkest night,” alongside jangling guitars. The reassuring lyrical content and nocturnal guitar tones venture into a multi-vocal caressing, with the “open your heart to the freedom of the light,” chorus reflective of the project’s psychedelic inspirations. The epic “We Both Belong” also enthralls, with cinematic string majesty and mellow keys converging for a gorgeously intriguing production throughout.
Standout track “Red Poppy” casts a late-night glow with its warming bass line and trickling piano lines. “Still trying to reach the ground,” a haunting vocal presence lets out, traversing into the “you’re so special to me,” vocal outpouring in the chillingly effective hook. Elegant piano infusions, delectably eerie vocals, and a range of guitars assemble for a gripping production. The exotic orchestration of “Das Ende” and the hypnotic, harp-touched swell of “Andeli” close this masterful album with similarly compelling atmospheric and melodic strengths.
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“Red Poppy” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
