We Speak Music

Rzekomo Delivers A Mysterious Record With ‘The Gray Zone of Talk’

Published

2 months ago

May 8, 2026

Rzekomo clearly isn’t interested in making background music. On The Gray Zone of Talk, the Polish artist delivers a record that feels immersive, mysterious, and occasionally a little bit unsettling, in the best possible way. As the third installment in the long-running 10 times 10 gives 100 series, the album continues an already ambitious project while pushing deeper into a sound world where ambient electronics, microhouse beats, and warped jazz guitar collide.

That might sound intimidating on paper, but the album is surprisingly approachable. There’s a strong emotional core running through these tracks, especially on standout single “which,” where nostalgic guitar fragments drift above crisp electronic rhythms like memories struggling to stay intact. Rzekomo understands how to build atmosphere without losing momentum, creating tracks that feel reflective but never static.

The production throughout is stunningly detailed. Granular synthesis transforms guitars into ghostly textures, while beats pulse gently underneath layers of synths, Rhodes piano, clarinet, and orchestral flourishes. Tracks such as “is not” and “which can” bring flashes of rhythmic energy, but even the more beat-driven moments maintain the album’s dreamy, slightly melancholic atmosphere. It’s electronic music that feels cinematic without becoming overblown.

What gives The Gray Zone of Talk its identity, though, is its central idea: that silence and intuition may communicate more honestly than words ever can. Inspired by philosopher Henri Bergson, the album explores communication through absence, repetition, and emotional suggestion rather than direct statements. Thankfully, Rzekomo wears these influences lightly. The music never feels trapped beneath its concept, instead, the ideas simply deepen the emotional impact.By the end of the album’s sprawling closer, “There is no need to talk about everything,” Rzekomo has achieved something genuinely impressive: a record that feels intellectually ambitious while remaining emotionally immediate. The Gray Zone of Talk doesn’t scream for attention. It lingers quietly instead, unfolding further with every listen. In a world overloaded with noise, that restraint feels refreshing.

Purchase the album on vinyl here.

Represented by Decent Music PR, the album was developed with the support of ZAiKS as part of the Creative Support Fund (Fundusz Popierania Twórczości).

Connect with Rzekomo: Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, BandCamp

We Speak Music

The Songs of Butler & Cupples Prioritise Craft on Intimate New Single ‘Better off Lost’

Published

5 days ago

July 3, 2026

Brett Wylie

Following the momentum of their first three breakout releases earlier this year, genre-fluid project The Songs of Butler & Cupples have returned with ‘Better off Lost’. A stripped-back, intimate offering that further sharpens their songcraft-first ethos, the release reinforces the duo’s position as one of the most forward-thinking, emerging songwriting projects operating outside the traditional band framework.

Conceived entirely as a vehicle where pure songcraft remains the central focus, The Songs of Butler & Cupples was formed in direct response to a contemporary music landscape increasingly shaped by image, algorithms, and visual perception rather than musical composition.

Led by two highly experienced industry songwriters, the project is intentionally fluid. It allows musical ideas to dictate their own final form without being restricted by rigid genre conventions or commercial chart expectations. With ‘Better off Lost’, the pair turn inward, embracing an acoustic-led direction underpinned by Americana-leaning textures and delicate, emotive vocal arrangements.

Sonically, the track marks a further evolution in their rapidly expanding creative palette. Built around a gentle acoustic guitar foundation, ‘Better off Lost’ foregrounds vulnerability and vocal performance above all else. The raw emotional delivery is elevated by subtle, layered harmonies and understated pop sensibilities that give the track its modern, polished edge.

The duo’s stylistic range has already drawn comparisons to boundary-pushing artists such as Miley Cyrus and Kacey Musgraves, whose recent celebrated works have helped reframe contemporary Americana within the broader pop landscape. Like those icons, Butler & Cupples demonstrate a versatile range that fiercely resists easy categorization.

Across their 2026 discography, they have proven comfortable shifting between entirely different sonic worlds, including: Electronic-Leaning Production: Utilising sleek, modern digital textures. Experimental & Rock Influence: Embracing grittier, guitar-driven edge and unpredictable structures. Acoustic Minimalism: As heard on the new single, proving that a strong emotional through-line remains intact regardless of the instrumentation.

Rather than chasing viral TikTok trends or tailoring their masters for playlist algorithms, the project remains deeply rooted in strong structural songwriting, genuine emotional resonance, and absolute creative freedom.

At its core, The Songs of Butler & Cupples functions as an open creative framework without built-in limitations or outside expectations. ‘Better off Lost’ stands as another clear statement of intent from the duo: that well-crafted songs, when given proper breathing room and unfiltered honesty, still possess the power to cut through the modern noise.