Drawing us in with an intricate guitar performance, astral synths and textured hip-hop drums manifesting in a dimensional, 8-bit, zen-adjacency, fromtheswamp opens peaceful waters with intentionality and raw artistry. We appreciate the melodic depth and the high emotional quotient of the composition.
The looped riffs resonate like sonic mantras with a hypnotic but not quite psychedelic edge, although we are encouraged to connect with nature through the piece. There is an undeniable cinematic allure that manifests, and the track would also be perfect for a hatha yoga class as the BPM fits well with the movements.
What makes peaceful waters super compelling is its sense of intention. We learn that the track is built around the idea of reconnecting with the natural world. This feels zeitgeist and important, now more than ever. As we enter the symbolic notion of a “new Earth”, this serves as the perfect score and a considered message about how disconnected modern life can make us from the outside world. fromthewamp confesses, “I believe in a world where humans become reintegrated with nature. My music, and this song, celebrates a connection with nature.”
The sonic immersion and “underwater” quality of the track feels apt too, reminding us that we are all water. fromtheswamp tells us, “Someone once said it sounds like being underwater….”. The video game soundtrack energy is pretty real too and reminds us of a submersed scene from Sonic the Hedgehog on Sony PlayStation, but instead of transporting us into a digital world, fromtheswamp uses those sounds to pull us back towards something organic. That contrast is fascinating.
We could easily imagine peaceful waters accompanying an opening sequence in a David Attenborough nature documentary, or a TV show like Nine Perfect Strangers, which is also rooted in reconnection with source. With reference to his influences, the Columbus-based rising artist adds, “Although it might not be inherently clear, my main influences are The Strokes and Bob Dylan. Specifically the guitar work and sort of zany quality. My biggest influence though would have to be the outside world.”
Naturally, the DIY and improvisational nature of the recording adds another layer. Everything was created in fromtheswamp‘s bedroom, with the multidisciplinary artist playing every instrument and programming the drums. As the artist puts it, “There isn’t an instrument or phrase wasted in this song”. We agree.
Ultimately, we love how peaceful waters comes to life as a sonic environment. It invites us to slow down, breathe and look inwards and outside, reminding us of the importance of peace in this timeline. We will add peaceful waters to our New Music Spotlight playlists, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlist in the future, in the meantime we continue to explore fromtheswamp‘s wider discography on SoundCloud.