Scarlet Mill – Sinking Man (2023)
From their debut album Chronicles to their singles ‘Port Henry’ and ‘You’re Mine’, Dutch duo Scarlet Mill have been deemed a sensational, authentic and enticing artistic pair. If you head to Spotify, you might think the pair was formed in 2020 (considering they only started releasing music that year); however, there is a greater history to Scarlet Mill. Originally formed in the 1980s, Jennifer Moesker (vocals, piano, organ and synths) and Erik Verhoef (vocals, guitar, bass and drums) garnered a reputation for eclectic music. Unfortunately, they drifted apart for a couple of decades spending time on other musical projects. Then, 35 years later, Scarlet Mill reunited playing obscure melodies for audiences from yesteryear and the current day. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Sinking Man’.
Following the track ‘You’re Mine’, Scarlet Mill once again adopts an experimental tone in ‘Sinking Man’. Opening with a flowing piano lulling you into a comfortable bubble, the pair seem to embrace you in a warm sonic hug. Yet, while a soothing charm exists in ‘Sinking Man’, there is a melancholic quality in the arrangement. The prominent piano melds with a simplistic guitar and steady drums anchor the melody, showcasing the beauty of stark soundscapes. Interestingly enough, despite the feeling of raw whimsy in the stripped-back song, ‘Sinking Man’ is kaleidoscopic – you expect to see a ghost hiding in the mystical trees of a sonic forest or bubble. Add a forlorn saxophone (courtesy of Maarten Verhoef) and you have something spine-chilling.
The melody can hold its own, no doubt about that, but it is Scarlet Mill’s brilliant storytelling that fascinates me. The band explains that ‘Sinking Man’ is the tale of a male protagonist who “…has found shelter in Port Henry and entrenched himself in a secluded and windy harbour to contemplate his evil deeds…seeking solace in booze, scraping together his income as a session musician…he ends up penniless and intoxicated. In hazy and feverish dreams images of better times pass by with his great love. Regret consumes his soul and so he falls to his doom on a drunken night.”
Sincere, sentimental and oozing a vulnerable melancholy, Scarlet Mill takes you on a tender eclectic journey in ‘Sinking Man’.
For more from Scarlet Mill check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
