Released: January 26, 2024

Genre: Electronic / Modern Classical

From: Denmark (UK-based)

Label: Escho

Why you should listen: Danish, London-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Astrid Sonne has released a sublime and intriguing new album titled Great Doubt. Despite this being her third full-length body of work, it’s my first introduction to the talented artist, and I was immediately drawn to her hypnotic, electronic soundscapes that combine string arrangements, synth leads and soothing vocals throughout its 9-tracks and 27 minute runtime. “Light and heavy” kicks the album off with gorgeous ambient wind instrumentation that sets the tone for how mesmerising and captivating this album is. The heavy drumming on “Do you wanna” is complemented by a rumbling bass and emotive vocal performance from Astrid, who seemingly contemplates motherhood. The synths and strings throughout add so much depth and emotion to the track. The ambient synth leads of “Give my all” are stunning, as her angelic voice is poignant and powerful. The subtlety and beauty of “Almost” is stunning, while “Boost” has this dominant synth leads that are complemented by a heavy beat and bassline, that pummels throughout the first third of the track, before the sound deviates into more abstract instrumentation. It’s one of the highlights on this album for me. The rumbles of “Everything is unreal” are meditative, while the colourful synths and effects on “Staying here” are beautiful and emotive. The gorgeous “Overture” is the perfect meditative interlude that gives way to the minimalistic synth and string-led closer of “Say you love me”, with incredible vocals that capture her artistic aura effortlessly. The compositions are beautiful yet melancholic and moody, with reflective and vulnerable lyrics on love and self, not only on this final track but throughout the entire project, which makes Great Doubt a pretty fitting title. Astrid Sonne’s compositions are spellbinding and hypnotic, with incredible vocals and themes of womanhood, motherhood, love and reflections on self being central to the wonder Great Doubt. A truly fantastic body of work.

The album: