Critics might be tempted to point out that ‘Anodyne’ is far from a perfect album: its production could be refined, the final mix could be tweaked… yet, it is one of the boldest and most authentic records we have received in a while. Born from Satsuma’s 90s-coded alt-rock influences, ‘Anodyne’ feels extremely vibrant and lively. It’s not over-polished, there’s not a whiff of AI or electronica in it. Simply, it’s a gritty, expansive body of work, a quality that goes a long way in the modern music industry.
Hailing from Edinburgh, Satsuma is the moniker of singer and songwriter Cam Halkerston. Rallying a few friends around him, the talented writer and musician was able to record ‘Anodyne’ completely at home, in true do-it-yourself fashion. Such an honest process gives the album a particularly relatable and vivid character, and in a way, it also makes it sound very nostalgic. Alice in Chains, Yo La Tengo, and Radiohead are some of the influences mentioned by Cam.
Delving deeper into the inspiration behind his music and the meaningful ethos that propels his creative process, Satsuma explains: “I struggled with mental health issues, which stemmed from both military service and earlier childhood, and also from drugs and alcohol. I wrote music as a means of coping with difficulties, and would then record it on my phone. I had never sung before 2024, and never touched music production, but as time went on, I shared some demo recordings with friends, and a couple eventually said I should try to do it properly. So I nailed it down, and that’s what got me to where I am now.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Anodyne’ now: