7/10

There is something quietly unsettling about Black Leather Birds' latest EP 'of Children and Their Sorceries'. Right from the very start, the project draws us into its world through atmosphere, patience, and an ever-present sense of unease. The result is a collection that feels like a series of interconnected short stories unfolding in the shadows.

The solo project of Chicago-based composer and producer A.G. Syjuco, Black Leather Birds has always existed outside conventional boundaries. While Syjuco is perhaps best known for his work with experimental rock outfit Jack of None, this project offers a more intimate and exploratory space, allowing him to pursue ideas that sit somewhere between music, literature, and sound design.

Across its five tracks, 'of Children and Their Sorceries' explores themes of anxiety, isolation, and existential uncertainty with remarkable restraint. Spoken-word passages drift alongside sparse instrumentation, while prose-like lyricism and ritualistic vocal elements create an atmosphere that feels dreamlike one moment and deeply unsettling the next.

Musically, the artist demonstrates an impressive ability to blend experimental techniques with accessibility. While the project embraces unconventional structures and literary influences, it never feels inaccessible. The songs function like immersive environments, encouraging us to experience them emotionally as they play.

In an era where many releases compete for immediate attention, 'of Children and Their Sorceries' takes the opposite approach. It asks rewards close listening and reveals more of itself with each return visit. Dark, thoughtful, and beautifully crafted, the EP further establishes Black Leather Birds as a project unafraid to explore the spaces where music, literature, and imagination collide.

For those drawn to experimental music that values mood, narrative, and emotional depth over convention, 'of Children and Their Sorceries' is a compelling and deeply absorbing experience.