Tobias Hellkvist - Vesterhavet (2016)

After being thoroughly shaped and fine-tuned over the course of the past 3 years, 'Vesterhavet' is the first proper full-length album from Swedish electroacoustic composer Tobias Hellkvist since his two landmark releases on Home Normal - 2010's 'Evolutions' and 2012's 'Everything Is Connected'.

Even though he hasn't been inactive since then, having had several works released by labels such as Dragon's Eye Recordings, Dronarivm and lesser known Tokyo Droning and Small Fragments - 'Vesterhavet' however, does in many ways pick up where his last full-length left off almost four years ago.

"I started working on this album directly after 'Everything Is Connected' was finished, so it kind of makes sense if this feels like a continuation of that sound. However, I've definitely explored some new ways of working on this album, both technically and musically", Hellkvist says.

The making of this 52-minute excursion has obviously been a long process, and after having been in contact with several labels along the way, Hellkvist made the decision to publish the album himself as a digital-only release.

"Actually, I think I've been more inspired musically during the last few years than I've ever been, and have had several album projects going on simultaneously. But it was harder and harder for me to get a good overview of what I was doing, and realized that I needed to start finishing things rather than adding to the pile, in order to achieve a more relaxed, focused and structured working environment. Releasing this record myself just seemed like the best option for me at this time. It gives me closure in a way, allowing me to proceed creatively in my own pace with future projects I hope to get released later this year".