The keen reader might remember Stefano Ark from an interview we did with him not long ago. He’s genuinely one of the most authentic, striking artists we have come across in the past year, championing a rather mysterious ethos drenched in sci-fi and horror imagery, together with cathartic, personal lyricism that serves as a witty reminder of the project’s deep philosophy. ‘MARTIAN: YEARS 2013 – 2023’ is Ark’s latest offering, a collection of pieces written in the past decade, showcasing a great deal of what he stands for.
From a sonic standpoint, ‘MARTIAN: YEARS 2013 – 2023’ is hard to put into context. Incredibly eclectic, the album oscillates between ambient soundscapes, leftfield electronica and the occasion R&B flavourings, all contextualised into a cosmic production and non-linear structures. Yet, the spoken word bits are the real star of the show, with Stefano delving deeper into the unique happenings around his existence.
As he eloquently explains: “Over the decade, I went through major difficulties battling addiction and my mind & my unmanaged neurodivergence – which lead me to almost losing my life after an accident with substances. The album details the steps I went through, and how I was subconsciously noting down my journey and recovery musically without realising it.”
Overall, this is not a record we could even describe, simply because it doesn’t belong to any pre-conceived genre or artistic current. Simply, it exists in its own space, a space everyone should hang out in, from time to time.
Recommended! Discover ‘MARTIAN: YEARS 2013 – 2023’ on Spotify:
