Satori - Dreamin' Colours

There is a tendency within modern electronica to pigeonhole and categorize, to package music into easily digestible formulas. In direct revolt comes Dutch artist Satori and his new album 'Dreamin' Colours' on renowned imprint Crosstown Rebels. Recorded at the esteemed Sonic Vista Studios in Ibiza, the nine-track LP has been greatly anticipated off the back of it's proceeding's singles: 'Yellow Blue Bus' ft. Laska, 'Lalai' ft. Ariana Vafadari, and most recently 'Gin Song'. An ethereal, swirling body of work, 'Dreamin' Colours' is rich in texture, color and imagination. Satori stretches himself out through languorous, mystical explorations of both the digital and the analog elements of music, the result a beautifully conspired collection of world music, steeped in electronic and Balkan roots, and straddling a multitude of genres from blues and indie electronic to opera, folk and beyond.'Colourful Dream' begins proceedings, taking the form of a gently-building opener. From the pluck of a guitar string to hypnotic flute-like elements, we soon arrive at the enchanting world of 'Lalai' ft. Ariana Vafadari. Recorded in a four-hundred-year-old water well, it showcases the transcendent sound with which Satori has become best known, meandering through rustling hats and tribal-like drum patterns whilst the dulcet tones of Ariana shimmer softly throughout. 'Tuti' ft. Kalima takes on a harder edge, with gritty drum patterns opening into melancholic chords early on. Kalima's vocals add an emotive touch to the piece, paving the way for 'Moj Dilbere': a euphoric cut that feels tribal and reflective in one. We land at a similarly ethereal soundscape on 'The Gin Song' ft. Mybaby, as star-like synths pulse alongside punchy percussion before 'Yellow Blue Bus' ft. Laska takes it's place. It begins with real-life ambience, made up of sounds recorded live in Ibiza as a bus passes and birds chirp merrily in the background. This swiftly gives way to a guitar-flecked bassline, opening neatly into the vocal offerings of both Satori and Laska.'Troublemaker' ft. El Mundo retains an inherent melodic quality, progressing through poignant strings and whispering kick-hat combos. Powerful and poignant, the mesmeric sounds of Ora Dea and Moshe meander subtly into 'Lonely Boy (Redux)' ft. Hugo Oak. The closing saga brings things to a wonderfully subdued finish, rounding off the album on a wholeheartedly calming note.Although raised in the Netherlands, where commercial electronic music is of course king, on 'Dreamin' Colours' it is undeniably Satori's Balkan heritage that layers his production with dreamy, ethereal, Eastern European influences. The album's overriding voice lies in his exultant celebration of Eastern European music, weaving vibrant threads of it's earthy, melodic, rhythmic sounds into his thick musical tapestry. Written during the pandemic and driven by the ache of separated love, the album is, Satori says, his most personal yet.