We Speak Music
Sour Blood Delivers Masterful Debut Album ‘Suas’
Sour Blood, the brainchild of Tipperary-born artist Kevin Gleeson, offers a captivating exploration of musical landscapes with the release of their debut album, Suas. Known for his unique blend of theatre and music, Gleeson has crafted an album that seamlessly merges rich orchestration with deeply introspective themes, setting a high bar for his burgeoning project.
Suas is a symphonic journey, composed of eight tracks that ebb and flow with nocturnal balladry and sweeping orchestration. Gleeson’s talent for sound design shines through as he weaves together a tapestry of lush arrangements and haunting melodies. The album feels like a carefully curated voyage through waking dreams and reflective reveries, offering listeners a profound auditory experience.
The project, which began with a sold-out debut at the Dublin Dance Festival in 2019, has evolved significantly since then. Gleeson’s previous EP, Good Nevers, introduced his innovative sonic language, characterized by a fusion of varied influences and a penchant for stirring song structures. However, Suas marks a monumental leap in both artistic breadth and execution.
Written and recorded between Gothenburg and Dublin from 2022 to 2023, Suas benefits from the collaborative efforts of Brendan Jenkinson, known for his work with Villagers and Aoife Nessa Francis. The album’s production imbues it with a wintery warmth, creating a soundscape that is both pastoral and otherworldly. Gleeson’s vocal versatility is a standout feature, adding depth and emotion to each track.
Highlights of the album include the R&B-inflected “Mysterious Creature,” which combines forlorn lyrics with a boom-bap rhythm, and “Bruise,” a piano-driven ballad where Gleeson’s voice takes center stage. In tracks like “The Devil” and “Clot,” his vocals are cleverly manipulated, blending seamlessly with the instrumental layers to create a euphoric harmony. The closing track, “Overgrowing,” features delicate acoustic guitar and faint organ strains, offering a haunting and open-ended conclusion to the album.
Suas is a complex and beautiful exploration of sound, positioning Sour Blood as a noteworthy and gifted artist. The album not only showcases Gleeson’s meticulous artistry but also his ability to craft music that resonates on an emotional and intellectual level. It stands as a testament to his vision, blending introspective lyrics with grandiose compositions to create a work that is as thought-provoking as it is sonically pleasing.
In conclusion, Suas is a stunning debut that solidifies Sour Blood’s place in the contemporary music scene. Available on all major streaming platforms, this album is a must-listen for anyone looking to explore new musical territories.
London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.
Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’
‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.
Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.
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