It took us a while to fully understand the vision behind CulturalException’s eclectic artistry. The project’s aural formula is decisively unique and nuanced, a bold and hypnotic blend of leftfield allure and popular rhythms with no end in sight. ‘Problems Focusing’ is the perfect evidence of that. Marking CulturalException’s latest album, the record collects nine expansive songs, all written between 2009 and 2024. Such information provides an important clue about the Switzerland-based American musician and producer, known by day as Tony Long.
You see, Tony has been around the block for a while by now. Boasting decades-old experiences in various bands as well as a fruitful corporate career, Long seems to have re-centred his attention on the musical medium, with ‘Problems Focusing’ signalling his renewed commitment to the craft. The listening experience behind the album is varied and lively, ranging from radio-ready bops such as ‘Anna Nagar’ to lush and dystopian electronic pieces (‘Triple Taste’), passing through gripping spoken word storytelling (‘Amouse Bouche’). Diving into the record, it’s quite clear that its effect is going to be inherently personal, relating to each listener in different ways.
In that sense, we appreciate Long’s creative freedom; he allows himself to wander wherever songwriting might take him. Expanding the premise behind the album, the American talent explains: “It’s a story about passion, about songwriting, about producing airplay-ready tracks, and the commitment to further grow long after many peers have thrown in the towel. It’s not a success story, it’s a story about success that is imminent.” Fun fact: he’s already at work on the next album, expected to be released later this year…
Recommended! Discover ‘Problems Focusing’ now: