Tag: illuvia

The Berlin-based artist on a song that inspires her to let go

The premise of One Track Mind is pretty simple: I ask artists to pick one track that means a lot to them – either something they’ve discovered recently, something that’s been with them for years, or one that reminds them of a specific time in their life or career – and tell me what makes it so special to them. I get to talk to the artists I love, and they get to talk about the artists they love. Love all round!

Anna Erhard’s music exists in that hazy space between indie rock and offbeat pop, where dry wit and deadpan delivery meet angular guitars and restless beats. Originally from Switzerland, now based in Berlin, she first caught attention with Basel’s folk-leaning Serafyn before stepping out solo, swapping acoustic delicacy for something more unpredictable.

Her latest album, Botanical Garden, is a further evolution of her idiosyncratic sound—more wired, more playful, with Anna turning mundane observations into strangely addictive earworms. The title hints at something lush, but Erhard’s garden is full of overgrown thoughts and half-remembered conversations, set to clattering rhythms and sun-faded synths. Tracks like “Horoscope” and “Teenage Earworm” toy with nostalgia but refuse to settle into it, while “170” turns a casual argument over someone’s height into a hook-laden, side-eyed anthem.

For her One Track Mind selection, Anna has picked out a song the humor and charm of which is reflected in much of her own work.

The prolific, multi-aliased producer on life-changing impact of a song by Yumi Arai

The premise of One Track Mind is pretty simple: I ask artists to pick one track that means a lot to them – either something they’ve discovered recently, something that’s been with them for years, or one that reminds them of a specific time in their life or career – and tell me what makes it so special to them. I get to talk to the artists I love, and they get to talk about the artists they love. Love all round!

Ludvig Cimbrelius is a versatile Swedish musician known for his expansive and emotive soundscapes across a wide range of aliases, each reflecting a unique aspect of his artistic vision. Perhaps his best-known alias, Purl, focusses on music that evokes the serenity of nature, while Illuvia explores ambient jungle and drum & bass realms. Eternell delves into meditative and ethereal compositions, and Abraço de Vapor delves into deep, immersive soundscapes. Other aliases include Alveol, Ziyal, and Surr, showcasing his wide-ranging talent across ambient, electronic, and cinematic music​.

Released back in June, his latest album as Illuvia Earth Prism is a masterpiece, and one of my favourite LPs of the year so far; an escapist joy with atmospheric pads and lush melodies combined with lo-fi drums filtered almost out of existence. Ideal listening for anyone who misses the glory days of ‘intelligent’ drum and bass but doesn’t have the energy to go out raving anymore.

For his One Track Mind selection, Ludvig has picked out supremely joyful track that never fails to bring him to tears.