released: september 26, 2025

genre: alternative / jazz / experimental

from: warsaw, poland

label: unsound

a few thoughts: this would have definitely been in my top 25 albums of the year if i had spent more time with it, i just discovered it a bit too late in the year. multi-instrumentalist and producer piotr kurek creates transcendental, immersive and stunning soundscapes on songs and bodies, his most recent release at time of writing. 10 tracks of meandering jazzy soundscapes, with prog-rock influences and a somewhat eerie tone that feels restless throughout. there are moments of pure beauty such as on “it used to be a song”, with its gorgeous piano and string melodies, and the incredible “nothing holds still”, with its slow-paced yet intense intertwined melodies that are striking and beautiful. the haunting vocals on “and yet through this” complement the dark and haunting groove, while the guitar leads on “more than one” are gorgeous. the guitar-led grooves of “try to be true” are infectious too, with vocal chops that animate the track throughout. the drumming throughout the album is also incredible. the restless and frantic “the water is wide” is an example of this, with incredible percussive moments and vocals that create this sense of urgency. the slow-paced and moody “this is where i thought you’d be” is beautiful and closes the album out perfectly, with disorienting vocal chops and sluggish guitar leads that create this gorgeous, atmospheric energy that is poignant throughout. songs and bodies is a lush, lively and immersive body of work that feels grand and ambitious.

the album: