Skip to main content

Featured

‘The Journey’ - The Octopus Division

  ‘The Journey’ - The Octopus Division In ‘The Journey,’ a sonic mosaic unfolds that—permeated by neon-soaked synth pads and a melody that feels like memory—is less a song than a spiritual compass. The time that relentlessly pursues us, according to ‘Time keeps chasing us every day’, is not portrayed as an enemy, but as a constant touchstone that we face with our heads held high: ‘ We won't let the rain wash us away’ . Photography, here metaphorically as a key to the past, opens doors to moments that seem long gone but live on within us. The chorus – a kind of collective mantra – describes not just a journey, but an intertwining of stories that support each other. The garden in which hopes take root becomes a symbol of what must be nurtured in order to flourish. And when ‘ our songs have lost a note or two ’, it is not a flaw, but proof of lived depth. A song that is not meant to be heard, but to be lived through – like a familiar glance at an old photo album by candlelight. b...
Read more
Indie
Pop
New Wave
Synth Pop
Electronic
NenesButler

“Over Here Over There” by S.J. Armstrong

“Over Here Over There” by S.J. Armstrong

The term DIY is one that S.J. Armstrong can undoubtedly wear with pride in the music scene, as he has virtually created his latest album, “Over Here Over There,” single-handedly. On his third album, he not only took charge of all the sound engineering, mixing, and mastering, but also played most of the instruments himself. 
(c) by the artist (S.J. Armstrong)
To leave nothing to chance, he also designed the cover. Naturally, he wrote and arranged all the music. It took ten months to complete and present to the audience.
Those familiar with Armstrong know what he values and what to expect. His characteristic vocal arrangements in the title track, “Over Here Over There,” immediately identify the artist. However, he has altered the soundscape: while the predecessor was edgy, this LP thrives on its mood and atmosphere. The vocal arrangements blend seamlessly into the overall sound, becoming part of a whole where the instrumentation is also given great importance. Rhodes piano, organ layers, and guitar layers combined with retro drumming create a wonderful sound.
Overall, “Over Here Over There” sounds calmer than its predecessors, with a compact and rounded sound that is not intrusive yet remains dynamic. My personal favourite on the album is “Well Known”.



NenesButler - Indie Music Blog
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Artists of the Week! - The Playlist