SOLAK – “Stranger Things”
Americana Highways is hosting this video premiere of SOLAK’s song “Stranger Things” from their forthcoming album Atlas, which is set for release on November 15. Atlas was produced by Lukas Somers; mixed by Steven Van Gelder; and mastered by Alexandr Vatagin.
SOLAK is based in Belgium and is the alter ego of producer Lukas Somers, who blends jazz, soul, pop, and Americana styles. We had a chance to chat briefly with Lukas Somers, aka SOLAK, about this song. The premiere appears just beneath the interview.
Americana Highways: “Stranger Things” is the oldest song on Atlas. What is the story behind the track, and why did you choose to release it as the final single before the album’s launch?
SOLAK: It’s me struggling with wanting more or something “new.” Something with the greener grass! While you give advice to other people, you often fail to do it yourself 🙂
AH: You mentioned the production for “Stranger Things” being particularly fun for you. What was the most memorable part of creating this track, and how did recording at Ocean Sound studios in Norway influence the final version?
SOLAK: I love to combine different aesthetics, such as a more crunchy dark sound in the realm of Mitchell Froom, Latin Playboys,… and also the more dreamy stuff such as Bon Iver, but also more classic ‘80 – ‘90 Bonnie Raitt! To name some of the giants!
Like the harmonized guitar solo: that’s something that I didn’t try before, and it was so fun to do 🙂
Recording it in Ocean Sounds gave us a lot of options to record the percussion in particular ways, since the room sounds so nice.
AH: Atlas is your second album. How does “Stranger Things” reflect your evolution as an artist from your debut album, and what new territory are you exploring on this project?
SOLAK: I think this song opened the gate to a more layered production process, before I kept it more basic. For this record I wanted to try out different things. Nowadays I’m again going to the core of songwriting. I guess it’s an ongoing evolution of trying new things.
Thanks very much for chatting with us, SOLAK.
“Stranger Things” is Lukas Somers on vocals, guitars, bass and percussion; Laurens Dierickx on Hammond Organ, keys, and snare; Olivier Penu on drums and percussion; and Fien Desmet and Hanne Peetermans on backing vocals.
With a snare beat layered with thoughtful piano and dreamscape harmonies, SOLAK considers the core benefits of being alone here on this song. The result is a dreamy self-consciousness, lilting at times and with a gentle soft march rhythm to ground you.
You can find the music here: https://solak.bandcamp.com/album/solak