Mirrors – those fragile glass things hanging everywhere, from the hallway to the bathroom, always nearby. They show the exterior, but it’s as if they hint at what’s hidden inside. Life works in the same way – all of it is reflections, distorted, fragmented, personal. Every moment lived is its own mirror, giving you a glimpse of reality through its own prism, your interpretation.
Now think about long-term relationships. They’re like mirrors too, reflecting the good times, as well as the cracks that accumulate over time. These are the shiny fragments you see in the light, the struggles that give relationships their true meaning. SUKH’s album ‘Heading East’ is exactly about that – about the moments that matter, the ones that become precious as the connection between people stretches over the years. This album doesn’t feel like a fleeting glance at love; it’s deeper – it’s an honest, personal account of how relationships gain texture, nuance, and resilience.
Photo by photo by Joe McAdam
The album encompasses classic songwriting principles and is a reflection on long-term relationships and platonic love. The instrumental melodies highlight how the connection strengthens over time – from the spark of first meetings to the warmth brought by shared moments and common memories. SUKH draws inspiration from classics – literature, cinema, psychology – and weaves this into a musical mirror reflecting his own experiences.
Together with his longtime collaborator and producer Rox Capriotti, he released an album that sounds emotionally rich. “Heading East” is an album with two faces: one version was recorded earlier but never saw the light of day. Instead of letting it gather dust on a shelf, SUKH decided to return, breathe new life into the old songs, and here’s what came out.
The album of eight tracks starts off with an upbeat tone with “Kind” – a track that can be called a small burst of optimism. Light guitar riffs intertwine with tender vocals and unobtrusive percussion. And even when the mood slightly shifts to melancholy towards the end, the overall positive note still remains. This track sets the tone for the entire album – bright, but with notes of contemplation and emotional depth, and it makes you want to smile, even if it’s a little sad.
After the vibrant “Kind” and the upbeat, country-tinged track “For the Road,” the song “Far” seems to slow down and transition into a calmer flow. In “Far,” a new chapter begins where a turbulent romance transforms into everyday life. Partners learn to cope with routine, adapt to each other, and find joy in everyday little things. This is the moment when the magic of falling in love gradually gives way to the warmth of shared life.
This is especially felt in the track “Conquered.” It begins with SUKH’s velvety a cappella vocals, which gradually unfold as gentle guitars, subdued percussion, and synths with a “lilac” mood join in; each element of the track adds its portion of emotion. It is a very romantic and touching song. However, my favorite on the album is “Faith.” It’s the kind of song that sticks in your head from the very first chords. It’s both cozy and free, like a warm autumn evening when the leaves are just starting to fall, and everything around seems to slow down. This track is clearly made for the radio, ready to fill the airwaves with a melody that feels like it deserves a little more time than usual, whether it’s morning or sunset.
The final minute is a true fireworks display: the sounds of drums, lavish cymbal accents, and the magical filling of the snare drum as the music soars to the heavens. The main feature of the album is the masterful intertwining of dynamic and calm melodies. SUKH clearly knows what he is doing – he is like a conductor who feels which direction the music should take. And before moving to the final track, he first offers a cozy song, like a warm caramel cloud, called “Home.” It is the perfect prelude to “If You Are,” which turns out to be a melancholic finale resembling a happy ending with a touch of sadness. In the concluding track, with a slight departure from the classical approach to songwriting, SUKH adds lush, pulsating drums and a modern sound; he took the old formula and sprinkled it with a touch of magic – the result is “explosive!”
As a result of diligent work, the album emerged with enchanting appeal. The themes of its songs explore the multifaceted nature of relationships, touching on the ups and downs of shared life, considering them after the initial attraction has faded. SUKH has created a more optimistic album, stepping away from his previous sound. Ultimately, it turned out to be an honest indie-pop story about how difficult, yet beautiful, it is to love and be loved.
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