Photo by Sara Maroye
OUTER has released another single ahead of his upcoming album Glowing Mountains in the Sky. ‘In Limbo’ is a graceful, intimate and weightless track, which further amplifies OUTER’s reputation for the cinematic, the emotive and the atmospheric. A gently held breath begins with piano arpeggios and choir-like vocals, trickling down from bar to bar.
From there, the music expands with tension-building kick drums and vast swathes of string orchestration. It’s steady and deliberate, blending electronic experimentation with neo-classical design. The piece unfolds tenderly before your ears, as elements emerge and fall away, become straighter and more off-kilter for intentional emotional effect.
Tom Soetaert, the Belgian composer behind the OUTER moniker, explains, “In Limbo is probably the most personal track from the upcoming album. Written during the expectancy of a first child, it captures the euphoria — but also fear and profound uncertainty of watching your identity shift while stepping into an unknown future. A contrast that is mirrored in the music and lyrics. Dreamy pianos, strings, and ethereal vocal lines melt into darker synths and beats. A play of light and shadow, reinforcing the album’s main themes.
The artwork is based on a Polaroid portrait. The camera was broken, so my face is very blurry and almost disappears. Exactly how I felt at the time writing the song.”
The beautiful unease of the soundscape is something which sets the tone for the forthcoming album. Written across Iceland, Norway and the Czech Republic, the record draws directly from its surroundings, with field recordings forming the foundation of many of its textures.
With esteemed praise coming from mainstream sources, the power of OUTER’s music to connect is clear, mastering the bridge between niche genre and widespread emotional appeal. The new album arrives on February 13th.
Listen here:
