London-born, Catalunya-based artist SALPA releases his second single of 2024: the otherworldly ‘Super Quiet’. Following on from the bewitching ‘What You Do Alone’ featuring Nilüfer Yanya & Jazzi Bobbi, this next single sees SALPA team up with Puma Blue & Uma, both of whom lend their tender vocals to this aqueous record. A lush dreamscape accented by punchy drums underpins SALPA & Puma Blue as they trade elegant verses, joined finally by Uma for the song’s stirring orchestral climax.
Take a listen to ‘Super Quiet’ below:
“This one was myself and Jacob in our element - we’re 3/4 songs into what would turn out to be a very prolific moment and we’re just in that zone where it feels like everything has potential. There’s a sonic world and an emotional core to what we’ve started and it just wants energy put into it.”
“It functions as a representation of what’s happening on the outside when inside there is a whole iceberg of emotions. I’m talking about loss but it’s all a bit clever and well put together. Almost as if I’m overcompensating - ‘It’s been super quiet since we were erased’ can mean the literal silence created by the absence of someone but i think for it was always a way of conveying that feeling when you’ve been through something hard and someone’s asked you about it but you can’t quite bring yourself to truly explain it so you say something meaningless like ‘oh alright, not much.”
This captivating song delicately weaves together the soulful nuances of jazz with the ethereal textures of electronic music, creating a mesmerising soundscape that effortlessly transports listeners to a realm of serene introspection.
SALPA has gained wide recognition for his jazz-influenced, introspective indie sound so far this year. His recent release What You Do Alone builds upon that with its snappy drums, buzzing vintage synths and Luke’s mournful baritone compounded with the voices of his collaborators culminates in a palimpsest of sound, combined to form otherworldly, just still distinctly human, textures. Having garnered multiple plays on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music throughout the campaign, SALPA's new material has been enjoying a steady stream of support.
Salpa fish, also known as dreamfish because of their rumored hallucinogenic properties, wholly encapsulate the oneiric, brooding, and organic sound of their musician’s namesake: SALPA.
London-born, Catalunya-based artist SALPA – aka Luke Bower – releases his debut album What You Do Alone under casa nueve, a new independent record label created by SALPA alongside fellow creatives Malena Zavala, Miriam Valencia, and long-term collaborator and partner, Uma.
After relocating from South London to rural Catalunya in 2019 to be with his partner, Luke underwent not only a transition from his former musical identity, Lucy Lu, but also a huge transformation personally and emotionally.
It was in the mediterranean ocean, after discovering the salpa fish on his frequent free dives, that the artist experienced a rebirth of sound.
He has been supported by Colors, Clash, DIY, 1 XTRA, BBC Introducing amongst others. The new album comes after recent singles ’England’, and the ‘Live In My Mind’ release with Puma Blue and Uma on Slow Dance in 2023.
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