After sharing two strong EP releases with a growing community of fans, Melbourne producer, songwriter and musician Soft Powder has arrived at a defining moment of his career: the release of his debut album, 'Somewhere Like Paradise'.
Across its eight tracks, Soft Powder (aka Andy Szetho) develops an immersive and inviting sound that captivates from the jump and demonstrates his natural skills as a writer, producer and engineer. More than a bedroom lo-fi project, 'Somewhere Like Paradise' is a trip into a transformational realm that asks questions of self-awareness, letting go of emotions in favour of the embrace of something bright and new.
Featuring singles ‘Running Through The Dark’ and ‘Close Your Eyes’, Somewhere Like Paradise is the perfect listen for fans of evocative shoegaze and melancholic pop. A reflection of Szetho’s own journey as a creative and also as a human: his Cantonese-Australian heritage is one that has been explored beautifully through the music and lyricism. Songs like ‘Twist & Turn’ and ‘Flicker 蜻蜓’ are magical, the spacious nature of the production matching brilliantly with drum patterns and smoky vocals that conjure up hazy dreaminess and reflection. Then, with the likes of ‘Douse The Flames’, we can hear the sonic threads that would tap the likes of The Cure, Nation of Language and New Order as kindred spirits.
Speaking about the new release, Soft Powder said, “These eight hazy pop songs are the culmination of all of my past experiences and influences. This is the album I’ve always wanted to make, which is why it was important for me to challenge myself to compose, produce, mix and conceptualise the entire project from start to finish.
"The entire creative process of constructing this album provided me with relief from reality, and it allowed me to escape from the real world and enter into my own imagined paradise. I hope these songs offer listeners a similar experience.”
The release of Somewhere Like Paradise marks the beginning of a new chapter for Soft Powder, who has cultivated a strong body of work in recent years, thanks to the release of EPs 'Shangri-La' and 'Faber Ria'.
Having already established himself as a known name in Australia through his work with successful alt-rock group Storm The Sky, Szetho’s step into a solo spotlight has seen the artist re-emerge with a renewed brand of confidence and moreover, a fusion of creative and sonic identities that is drawing in more fans around the country.
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