Dorsal – prominence (2025)

Sauntering through the realms of folk, jazz, and world music – along with the samples of orchestral strings, horns and piano – electronic singer-songwriter Dorsal, also known as Dave Lancaster, finds the line between organic and synthetic with a cinematic soundscape. Inspired by life in its entirety, each of their melodies is a lesson in duality, capturing impulsivity and structure, chaos and calm, contentment and uncertainty. For over five years, this UK-based artist has shared intriguing music with the masses, but this is our introduction. Join us as we take our first step into the world of Dorsal with ‘prominence’.

Following the 2023 album rewilding, ‘prominence’ may be seen as Dorsal’s return to the world of online streaming. Produced by Dave Lancaster, with Cult Architect (mixing), Elijah Right (mastering) and Jacob Weinreich (additional recording), ‘prominence’ is… well, it’s not easy to describe. Filled with individuality and originality in avant-garde sentimentality, it can be considered an enigmatic anomaly with its off-kilter digital meets organic tones.

For me, ‘prominence’ is not merely a concoction of strings, piano, violin, synths, beats, and percussion. No, it is a song that captures you from the first moment to not merely hear music but breathe it, become it, and live it. Stripping you of your external binding, you find yourself fresh and new as ‘prominence’ begins. The pulsating beats pierce the background like a heartbeat, while each layer of music holds you close, layering a new experience, insight, and cloth with every instrument.

The piano is a shimmering wave of calm, while Taz Duval’s violin adds a silvery sheen of gentleness and contentment to the track. Yet, while there’s the calm and charm, ‘prominence’ oozes the Dorsal duality, finding tempestuousness in the teapot. A rollercoaster of sound from melodic highs to dramatic lows with gritty vocals slicing through in defiant fragility.

As my introduction to Dorsal, what are my overall thoughts? An intriguing, offbeat, and outstandingly obscure artist. Do I enjoy it? Well, truthfully, I find myself reeling in the oddness of it all. Will I listen again? Perhaps.

Find out more about Dorsal on his Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube and Spotify.

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