Dreamy, ethereal and magical. “To Be Free” is the newest single from multi instrumentalist Brighton based producer and label/studio founder Solbore (Vlad Matveikov). My initial thoughts as I dived head first into this project were, is this what heroin feels like?  With the ambient energy of the track transporting you to another place almost immediately. This track combines everything that I love about ambient tracks symlinking multiple genres and abstract sounds together, like pure bliss half awake half asleep; nodding off while the dulcet tones connect to you on a deeper level.

Vlad continues to revel in the collaborative nature of his debut album ‘Never Alone, Often Lonely’. whilst taking a leap from the foundational sounds of that project with a heavier sway towards live drums and vocals, This shift was ignited by early Aphex Twin co-producer Neil Cosgrove, after the pair met while living in a house share together in Brighton Cosgrove. They began to build synths from Vlad’s bass and guitar arrangements forming the genesis of 12 new tracks.

From the beginning ‘To Be Free’ hits you with warm pulsating synths, bringing my heart down to the original BPM of the track; like a bath at the perfect temperature. Ravi Martin’s live drum kits settle themselves in so naturally, with their relaxed kicks and hi-hats excentuating the tracks body and grounding you. Bonniesings’ dreamlike vocals glide like a voice in your head as you drift to sleep, balancing alongside the backing guitars subtle presence. Culminating into an outro that slowburns as you slip back into the real world, left with only an echo in the deepest corner of your mind.

This was the first song that Neil and Vlad properly tried to jam out as they sat with cables and equipment run through the entire Norfolk apartment. I am waiting in anticipation to see the many ways this collaboration flourishes – boundless, free and effortlessly unafraid. Safe to say this one’s gonna be a staple in my playlist rotation.