‘Where Were You’ is a seemingly deceitful record. Its minimal, nuanced character approaches the unsuspecting listener with gentle charisma and a bittersweet, melancholic flair. Yet, the piece soon reveals all of its hidden evocative charge and nostalgic euphoria, engulfing the aforementioned listener into a substantial introspective lyrical journey, one that’s both nostalgic and hypnotising. ‘When Were You’ grew on us; what appeared like an acoustic single, later consolidated into a monumental slowcore jewel, with wholesome Folk and Americana tinges perfectly contrasting with the myriads of textures and glimmering soundscapes.
Penned by Danish troubadour Elephant Moon, the record is the perfect evidence of how one does not need chaos and loudness to craft a compelling, heart-shaking effort. Elephant Moon does it with very few elements, that being a soaring acoustic guitar, spacious embellishments and his own earthy, raw vocals, here delivered with calm and quirky soothingness. Moogie Johnson on lap steel, piano and synth, and Nicolai Schmith (Burning Velvet) on electric guitar play a pivotal role in building such a stunning aural panorama.
Written between the UK and Denmark, ‘Where Were You’ needs to be experienced first-hand, that’s why we urge you to give it a go. Take your time with it, possibly alone. Speaking about the inspiration behind it, Elephant Moon explains: “The song is shaped by movement, longing, and memory. The refrain ‘Where were you’ returns like a faded photograph, while the chorus quietly offers its own kind of hope: ‘Tomorrow is a ticket we travel on’.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Where Were You’ on Spotify:
