7/10

With his eagerly-awaited debut album 'Looming Seasons', Stockholm-based wanderer András Barják unveils a record that feels like opening a long-forgotten diary under the midnight sun. Seamlessly blending his rich tapestry of influences, from 60s mind-bending swirls to jazz’s restless spirit, he crafts a sound that is both introspective and gloriously expansive.

A veteran producer in his native Hungary before relocating north, Barják clearly understands the alchemy of sound. Each track on 'Looming Seasons' feels meticulously layered yet unrestrained, as if he’s captured fleeting thoughts and let them bloom into lush musical gardens. His indie pop-rock leanings here act as a foundation, but it’s the unexpected turns, such as the flicker of a jazz phrase or the sudden rush of distorted guitar, that make this album such a fascinating listen.

Conceptually, 'Looming Seasons' moves like a trek through a Scandinavian year. It descends into the shadowy chill of winter, embracing its heavy, hushed beauty, before surging into the feverish glow of endless midsummer nights. This cyclical journey mirrors the emotional push and pull at the heart of Barják’s songwriting: quiet vulnerability colliding with bursts of defiance and joy.

The intimacy in his voice feels confessional, as though he’s whispering secrets to the listener under a sky full of northern lights. Tracks like 'Dancing Foam' shimmer with warmth, evoking both nostalgia and forward momentum, proof of Barják’s ability to make the personal feel universal.

As much a meditation on place as it is on self, 'Looming Seasons' invites us to wander with Barják through internal and external landscapes, and to lose ourselves in shifting rhythms to find solace in subtle revelations. For fans of genre-bending, heartfelt indie music that refuses to sit still, this is an essential listen.