I’ve become convinced time and again that there is creativity that stands above time and trends. It’s always relevant. Some might say it’s the performer’s level of mastery, while others might say it’s the gift and perception of the world. Both would be correct, as creating music that resonates in the present and near future requires both components. River Westin possesses both the mastery and the gift to create this kind of music.

It may be hard to believe, but he taught himself music as an adult, which, let me note, is completely different – it’s one thing when a child absorbs everything like a sponge, and another entirely to learn music as an adult. Such persistence, hard work, and striving to reach high peaks of self-improvement in an unfamiliar (and somewhat cruel!) field commands admiration. Although the reason for such “work enthusiasm” was that he felt uncomfortable and confined within the framework of familiar visual arts and design, his creative abilities demanded new heights, different challenges, and directions of activity. Therefore, River Westin decided to try himself in music. And the choice was right! His first track made it into the top ten at an international songwriting competition, and his faithful fanbase grows year after year. All of this serves as clear proof of River Westin’s work and talent.

And now, his third full-length album Saturnine was released today, featuring 11 tracks, each of which is a unique and unrepeatable story told through music and words about love, self-discovery, and a touch of melancholy. This uniqueness is partly connected to the fact that River Westin is a representative of the LGBTQ+ community, which adds a certain charm to all of his music as a whole. And yet today I want to discuss specifically Saturnine because this album truly deserves close analysis.

“Witch Hunting” – this is pure delight! It’s hard to convey the storm of emotions I felt the moment the track started playing. In the first seconds, there was a solid feeling that it was something from a Korean drama soundtrack: smooth, slightly drawn-out rhythm, notes of nature, and the performer’s voice barely audible, blending with the flute and other musical instruments. But then the sluggishness was replaced by a faster rhythm, which first surprised me, then delighted me: everything turned out harmoniously. River Westin was able to achieve this with tender and soft vocals, in which you can feel that gentle strength that’s impossible to ignore.

The next track, “Sweet On Me,” is a musical mystery or puzzle that evokes associations with the sea: sometimes calm and promising secrets, sometimes raging and untameable. The track begins softly, where River Westin gently tells his story, and then shifts to sharp guitar picking, while the performer’s voice gains strength and volume – the calm musical canvas is covered with “waves,” mesmerizing with their movement and drawing you along. At the end, there remains a small feeling of emptiness, like after parting with something strong, unrepeatable, but no less beautiful.

“Blush,” from the first seconds, evokes an association with some ancient mystery, where all the participants’ movements are precise and deliberate. River Westin’s vocals deserve special mention here. In this track, he takes the leading role, unlike the first two. The vocals are filled with power and emotion, commanding the melody while highlighting subtle turns in the song. At the same time, the track is quite commercial, which is definitely a plus.

“Kiss Me Like You Used To” is full of contradictions. It feels slightly slow and distorted, as if it were a melody from worn magnetic tape, yet it sounds cohesive overall. River Westin’s vocals are full of bitterness and pain, unfulfilled hopes. But thanks to such contradiction, there are no tears or desire to stop grieving. There remains only a strong desire to quickly turn the unpleasant page of life and move forward, as the melody directly encourages.

“Invisible” I definitely recommend for listening, and “Goneboy“ is perhaps my favorite – throughout the entire song, there’s a feeling that the track is about to explode, but no, it continues in foggy ambient textures, a very cool move.

About the closing track, “Faith,” I can say only one thing: this is magnetism, mesmerizing and forcing you to concentrate all attention on the track. Here it is simply impossible to tear yourself away from Westin’s vocals. The melody only attracts attention and serves as a favorable background, emphasizing the mysterious and alluring atmosphere of the track.

Saturnine by River Westin – this is art that can only be admired, and it’s surprising that such talent wasn’t discovered by the world for so long. All tracks immediately sink into your soul and leave a deep mark, evoking a persistent desire to listen again to one or a couple of tracks, to once again enjoy the melody and River Westin’s voice.

Sometimes, you listen to an album and think – yeah, cool, the playlist got bigger. But this is a completely different story. Here, you understand that there are only a couple of tracks that might fit in, but I recommend listening to the album from beginning to end, because… well, that’s exactly how it works. River somehow managed to create a soundtrack for emotions you can’t even name.

River Westin made an album that will be relevant in a year and in five years. This is the kind of music that ages in the right direction. If you want to understand where modern indie music is heading, Saturnine is a must-listen. River Westin is definitely an artist worth following. Perhaps the best new release this week!

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub