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Having spent the last few years developing and evolving his unique sound, Swedish born and based producer SQRD returns with a new four track EP ‘Together’ via Sommarhjärta.
‘Together’ is a collection of material that delves into the memory banks for pop-edged electronic introversion. Recalling travels through Japan, Iceland, and Lebanon, it takes aspects from each of these countries and filters it through his own experiences. Influenced by the likes of Caribou and with a background in jazz and classical music, he delivers four dreamy electronica cuts.
SQRD’s was first noticed back in 2015 when he released a debut EP ‘Keep Saying’. A year later SQRD followed it up with a critically-acclaimed four-track offering ‘Gold’.
With strong and understandable comparisons to the likes of James Blake, The xx and Little Dragon the producer’s latest material bridges the gap between niche appreciation and contemporary appeal.
Carl-Robin aka SQRD says about the EP: ‘The fundamental aim of music, and arguably all art, is to evoke emotions. Whether it be by drawing a satirical cartoon to illuminate a social issue, telling a story that examines the human condition or simply enhancing a mood with music. My way of capturing the lo-fi feeling and many layers of falsetto vocals does just this. The ambiguity of my songs is meant to allow the listener greater freedom in superimposing their own story unto the music. Rather than trying to convey a specific message, my EP attempts to capture a certain state of mind at the time of listening to it’.
‘Scars’ was inspired by a trip to Lebanon with lyrics “Are you numb to the pain/Are you finding a away/The scars will never go away” referring to the war and cruelty that the country has experienced. At the same time, there’s an optimism and that is hard to miss pointing towards Lebanese people trying to see beyond the political status of their country and still finding joy.
‘My Head’ was written in Iceland. It has a spacey feel that was inspired by the impressive scenery that SQRD encountered hiking up a volcano that he just couldn’t get out of his head. The artist adds: “I am creating the kind of music that I myself like would like to listen to, mixing influences and from all of my favourite artists in order to create something that is me.”
‘Never Be Enough’ came as a result of a cultural shock visiting Japan. Prioritising work and your responsibilities over people and relationships struck a chord with SQRD and shortly after his return home led to this track.
“Swedish producer SQRD creates lo-fi electronic pop tracks, that provide an atmospheric backdrop for today’s modern milieu. His latest offering, “Would Run Wild” is a neon-soaked escapade into young love and vice.” – Culture Collide
The final track ‘Together’ is marked by SQRD’s fragile falsetto tripping over waves of synths and bass with just enough melody to make it a perfect slice of three (and a half) minute pop. On the track, SQRD says “I’d just moved back to Stockholm from Berlin, the winter nights were dark, cold, lonely, I was missing everyone I’d left behind in Germany and frantically listening to FKA Twigs and Låpsley on repeat. One night I’d just started writing ‘Together’ which turned out to be a song about my fear of losing someone very dear to me.”
The new SQRD’s EP ‘Together’ is available now via the Swedish label Sommarhjärta.
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