New Home is the debut album from Pol Tonin, the project of Vienna-born multidisciplinary artist Daniel Pabst. Achieving a captivating art-folk sound with a knack for both vocal harmoniousness and heady atmospheric textures, the record also takes influence from Pabst’s background in jazz and architectural photography. Thematically, the release tactfully navigates new fatherhood, honesty, finding the courage to be vulnerable.

“I understood that I had to come to terms with old wounds, to get rid of old luggage, to become a good father for my kid,” Pabst says. “So my songs turned very personal. I decided to combine my experience in improvised music with my expertise in writing songs. And the result is the most authentic work I have ever done.”

“Stay Optimistic” opens the album with a title-touting beckoning, set amidst lush acoustic strums as the vocals exude a passionate yearning to “stay with me.” Glimpses of brass emerge thereafter as slight, jazzy percussive hints ease in alongside. The heart-on-sleeve vocals, pining for hope and optimism rather than giving up, excel with melodic immersion and sincere emotiveness, fondly reminiscent of a more somber Aztec Camera in tone. The album excels in a wide range, spanning from gentle folk contemplation to textured art-pop engrossment.

The ensuing “Take Care” resonates as well, moving with piano-set solemnity and a further thematic sense of longing. “I feel sad tonight,” the vocals compel, then shifting into an absorbing second half — where a murky, late-night suaveness takes over with a bass-heavy ambience. The production is indicative of both the project’s knack for emotional power and atmospheric intrigue. “Dear Father” is another gem, atmospherically — fusing lounge-ready keys and glimmering momentum into a “never will forget” vocal intensity. In the more understated realm, “Dear Pol” achieves a serene folk entrancement, moving seamlessly from subdued minimalism into midpoint chills of breathy brass and twinkling chimes. A thorough success from Pol Tonin, New Home is abundant in excellent songwriting and strong soundscapes.

—

“Dear Pol” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

The post Pol Tonin – ‘New Home’ appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.