Bluewerks Brings Good Energy and Some Lo-Fi

Astralwerks and Blue Note Records return with another collaboration, this time to release the eleventh installment of Bluewerks, the label’s Lo-Fi series fusing downtempo electronica and jazz-infused sound.

Bluewerks Vol. 11: Behind The Walls features five new tracks, with Seattle-based Goosetaf as creative lead. The producer has made his own, equally mesmerizing music like “Familiar Feeling” and “Welcome Home (feat. Ian Ewing).”

“Secrets” opens the EP on a very light note. With a mixture of dreamy beats, gentle rhythm and smooth chord progressions, the track creates an interesting, yet inviting soundscape.

“Staying In” takes things a bit slower, leaning into beats reminiscent of the staticky, old records. Compared to the previous song, the mood is deeper and more laid-back. Listeners can’t help but drift off, maybe even sway along.

In the first few seconds, “Behind The Walls” immediately invokes jazz. The key slips in and out of major and minor, imitating the improvisation jazz often boasts as a genre. Though heavy and blue, the song adds some lo-fi elements here and there, like a piano melody in a synthwave style.

‘Behind The Walls’ fuses some electronic elements to the chill sound we all know and love.

– Goosetaf

“Mirror Image” manages to shift the sound again, demonstrating the versatility of the lo-fi genre. This time, the soundscape is more playful, featuring a variety of sounds. There are synthetic-type notes, subtle pulses and other interesting sound effects that create music listeners will put on repeat.

“Natural Light” ends the album on an equally sunny note. Lo-fi as a genre typically doesn’t include lyrics, yet the song manages to convey warmth and brightness. Almost evoking the feeling of tropical weather, notes are stretched and synthetic. Goosetaf has created a track perfect for lying in the sun and getting some vitamin D.

Bluewerks is a project that listeners should be excited about. Its first series was promising, bringing refreshing music and exposing more and more people to the lo-fi genre. Also, stay tuned for Goosestaf and more of his work on Instagram and Spotify.