What does Songs for June sound like?

Intimate and sensitive piano-based compositions.

The review of ‘Music for Obscure Sorrows’ by Songs for June

There is a YouTube channel called The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows which I’ve mentioned before on this website. Created by John Koenig, it documents newly made words that aren’t quite official but describe feelings or emotions using different etymologies. There is a book that is crammed full of great words for experiences that aren’t given single word descriptors and it is one of my favourite books of all time.

Elvy Jean was clearly inspired too as under their Songs for June name, they’ve released a piano-focused instrumental album based on twelve of those words. It is a collection of songs which explore deep thoughts and each song rolls around between heavy and wistful. Opening with ‘Ozurie’ (feeling torn between the life you want and the life you have) we get a beautifully dreamy yet downtrodden piece. As the piano patters away thin synths chip away at any confidence the song provides. ‘Silience’ (the kind of unnoticed excellence that carries on around you every day) on the other hand explores flourishes of guitar, synths and piano that sparkle and shine amongst gently uplifting melodies. ‘Sonder’ is elegant as it explores the idea of realising everyone else in your world has a full life too. The warm piano production and rosy cloudy synths provide a sense of grounding and quiet wonder.

Songs for June explores all different kinds of emotion across the album and each song fits the word mood perfectly. ‘Vermödalen’ (the frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist) has a clunky annoyance to it whilst introducing glassy hues around the piano. The balance of pleasure and an audible tsk in the melody is subtle yet revealing. ‘Chtosis’ (the awareness of how little we really know) is given a warm in-room production to portray its wisdom like a 1800s tea party. ‘Ambedo’ (feeling intense emotional clarity when alone and quiet) is far more pensive and brooding as it bustles in like clouds. A French woman speaks over the top of the track adding drama and weight to the piece too, making it feel incredibly focused.

With that clarity then comes a feeling of being lost as the next section of the album explores. ‘Nodus Tollens’ (the sense that your life doesn’t fit into a story) feels lost and wandering. Its yearning trickle of piano notes hints at spinning in circles and feeling disconnected. The track is my favourite piece on the album as it is so beautiful. Add in some distant birdsong and subtle reverb on the high notes and you have a true beauty. ‘Yu yi’ (the longing to feel things intensely again) sounds distinctly French. Songs for June gives it a tippy-toe waltz of delicate proportions. ‘Maru mori’ (the heartbreaking simplicity of ordinary things) sounds like a lost track from Final Fantasy IX. The low-key breath organ adds to the folk/classical hybrid melody and piano playing to create an instrumental that sounds like it could have come from the 70s.

‘Anemoia’ (nostalgia for a time you never experienced) kicks off the final quarter of the album. It is the track with the biggest low key and takes its time getting there. There is a gothic flair to the piece that Songs for June builds up to so the track can quicken pace and intensity for its final minute. It is cathartic and mysterious. ‘Alazia’ (the fear that you’re no longer able to change) is a more cinematic piano and guitar-led piece that sounds questioning by design. The unusual chord patterns evoke an unsettled tone across the track, as if some chords are missteps we are recoiling from. It is a clever piece which leads us to ‘Opia’ to close the album. ‘Opia’ (the ambiguous intensity of eye contact) rounds out the album gracefully with a thoughtful and pensive piece that grows into quiet drama for its final staccato-like moments of internal heartbeats.

This is exactly the kind of intensely personal album I love discovering. ‘Music for Obscure Sorrows’ is crammed full of emotional pieces given room to breathe and sit with the listener. You can soak in the melancholy and let it wash over you. Nothing is too intense nor too abstract – there is always a strong melody. The rough production gives the album a warm, timeless quality as if we’ve found a relic of wisdom from decades ago. It sells the narrative and the emotion perfectly. If you are in the market for a new piano-focused album of original compositions that will make you ponder life’s qualities – Songs for June has you covered. This is lovely.

Recommended track: ‘Nodus Tollens’

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