Brooklyn-based duo The Formalist delve into the depths of memory and self-discovery with their sophomore album, 'A Trace of Yourself'. This captivating ten-track release offers a multi-layered, textured journey through introspection, loss, and the lingering weight of time.

Stephen Krieger and Erik Laroi, the creative forces behind The Formalist, weave ethereal soundscapes with poignant lyrics, crafting a unique sonic space ripe for contemplation. Influences like Radiohead and Sigur Rós lend a shimmering atmosphere to tracks such as 'Happenstance', while echoes of Aphex Twin and My Bloody Valentine add experimental bite. Meanwhile, nods to contemporary artists like James Blake maintain a fresh, modern sensibility.

'A Trace of Yourself' boldly wrestles with themes of memory and how the past informs our present. Songs like the hauntingly beautiful 'Finite' deal with loss, while others like 'A = N' suggest a futuristic, even sci-fi-infused edge. The album's core, 'In Slow Motion', is a standout. With lush textures and a glitchy, infectious beat, it asks "Could you – and would you – relive a cherished memory in achingly slow motion, knowing the joy and pain it would inevitably carry?"

Mixed impeccably by Erin Tonkon and mastered by Simon Scott, this is a classic "headphones album." Nuances reveal themselves upon repeat listens, encouraging the experience the band so thoughtfully desires: "You want a record to take you out of your ordinary place, like a sonic dreamscape…A meditative thing; a way to lose yourself."

The Formalist's unique sound exemplifies their contrasting yet complementary artistry. The duo's dedication to this project is clear, as 'A Trace of Yourself' exhibits a distinct evolution from their 2019 debut. As Laroi expresses, "The Formalist is something we do when we feel we need to do it." That innate creative drive shines through, culminating in a record that lingers in the mind long after its final notes fade.