The Formalist first recorded their self-titled debut in 2008, the project then laying dormant for over a decade. In 2019, the duo saw the project released under the label Mother West, debuting a meeting of ethereal experimentalism and infectious wistfulness. Comprised of Brooklyn-born Krieger and Norwegian Erik Laroi, The Formalist has recently been making a return to music release, as a pair of singles have steadily emerged since the start of the year.
Now, a third release joins the album teaser list for the forthcoming LP A Trace of Yourself, ‘A = N’. Opening with an orchestral synth backdrop and gently blurred melody, the track then suddenly expands into a softly gripping arrangement of melodic bass lines, heavily swung drums and instrumental hums. As the vocals enter, sound design surrounds the soft words, the noise enveloping the lead line as it grows and takes on new forms. Continuing as an unstable but beautiful force, the track adapts and moves, untethered to protocol.
The duo add, “Sometimes it takes a long time to realise a song’s potential. ‘A = N’ was one such track, which we found ourselves returning to repeatedly over several years until arriving at its final form.”
‘A = N’ is out now!
