In the shadow of a quiet Seattle neighborhood, Steve Sachs, the prodigious songwriter who once fronted New Jersey's YJY, found himself standing at the crossroads of existential crisis and creative rebirth. The catalyst? A panic attack that rattled his core and shook loose a dormant wellspring of inspiration.
Out of the wreckage of anxiety emerged Holy Nowhere, Sachs' new solo venture, a sonic odyssey that transcends the boundaries of conventional genres. Teaming up with the illustrious Dana Yurcisin (Yawn Mower, Grasser, Dana Why), a creative powerhouse in his own right, the duo embarked on a transcontinental collaboration reminiscent of The Postal Service's heyday.
The result? The album, Soft Return, offers a mind-bending concoction of electronic pop and indie rock, drenched in razor-sharp lyricism and polished production. It's a departure from Sachs' previous endeavors, an evolution marked by wonder and irreverence, faith and folly.
The lead single, "Save You," serves as the harbinger of this musical metamorphosis. A mesmerizing blend of electronic beats, plucked bass strings, and lilting guitar licks, the track introduces listeners to a world where nihilistic lyrics dance on a melody so infectious it borders on hypnotic.
Directed by Tommy Butler, the music video complements the sonic experience, featuring footage from the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake—an annual spectacle where participants chase a wheel of cheese down a hill. In black and white, with slow-motion and reverse effects, the visuals mirror the inherent absurdity of seeking comfort in tradition.
Sachs and Dana's collaboration, a year-and-a-half-long dance of ideas spanning the coasts, birthed an album that defies physical distance. Sachs describes the process as akin to receiving his own songs as beautiful, incredible instrumental versions, a testament to Dana's transformative touch.
“I can’t overstate Dana’s contribution to this record. I wrote these songs, but he gave them life. He’s a generous collaborator and, for some reason, was willing to tolerate my neurotic tendencies. I think he’s kind of a weird genius and that everyone should work with him,” remarks Sachs.
As the chorus of "Save You" declares, “Everything just happens / and no one’s in charge. / Everything just happens / for no reason at all,” Sachs invites listeners to confront the chaos with open arms. Is it reassuring or nihilistic? The answer, Sachs suggests, lies in the ears of the beholder.
Holy Nowhere's sonic exploration beckons the world to abandon crutches and face reality with open hearts. In the grand tradition of musical alchemists, Sachs has conjured a spellbinding soundtrack that defies easy categorization.