Exclusive Premiere: Soft Focus “Elsewhere”

Today we are pleased to share some soothing electroacoustic sounds for your hopefully laidback Sunday in the form of “Elsewhere” by Soft Focus. Taken from forthcoming album, ‘Flowers’, released June 26 on vinyl and digital via San-kofa Rhythm Records, the Belgian record label home to leftfield electronics and rhythm.

On ‘Flowers’, this multi-talented producer from Antwerp channels improvised conversations between electronic analog synthesizers and acoustic instruments. Through lush landscapes and over more adventurous paths, it results in sonic excursions in search of the sublime.

Balancing between electronic and acoustic music, ‘Flowers’ tells a genre-blending introspective story that listens like a life cycle: from morning glory to homecoming. “It is a collection of 14 tracks that shaped over the years and started from improvising while looping”, says the Belgian producer. He defines his new solo project as an improvisational state of mind with no boundaries, stress related situations or technical difficulties. “You’ll hear all kinds of instruments and sounds ranging from acoustic to bass guitars, Juno 106 synths and pads, xylophones, Latin grooves, and DIY samples such as finger snaps & tongue clicks.”

Soft Focus is Toon Janssens, a versatile Antwerp born virtuoso with a PXL degree in music. Over the years he has collaborated with the likes of Up High Collective and made remixes for CJ Bolland amongst others. His production for Baloji ‘L’hiver Indien’ was even featured in the FIFA ’18 video game soundtrack. Under his TITLE moniker he explores beatmaking in various forms: from otherworldly post-dubstep to more up-tempo grooves.

Toon tells us “I made Elsewhere in my studio in Antwerp, which is basically filled with heavy percussion equipment. I’d recommend listening to it in any relaxing environment: be it a sunny morning yoga session or a rainy evening on the couch watching National Geographic.”

San-kofa Rhythms Records is the label by Belgian deejay and music curator DTM Funk. Following the inaugural classic guitar EP ‘Seis Estudios Para Guitarra’ by Susobrino, this is the second output on the label. Inviting musicians to put their root elements at the centre of the contemporary creative process, San-kofa offers a safe platform for various types of artists where the dots between past and present can connect.

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