Szymon - Tigersapp. LP [10 Year Anniversary Edition]

Szymon - Tigersapp. LP [10 Year Anniversary Edition]

I have such a vivid memory of where I was in 2014 when I was lucky enough to be shown what was an early version of “Katyusha”, a mostly instrumental highlight in the middle of the posthumous 2015 debut album “Tigersapp” from Newcastle artist and songwriter Szymon Borzestowski. It’s an otherworldly hazy affair that almost feels caked in deep fog, mystery and curiosity. Packed with chopped up samples and processed vocals, at times it’s almost overflowing with inspired ideas and It totally flawed me upon my first listen in the back garden of my then share-house in Sydney. 

The music that makes up “Tigersapp” while tragic in its nature is also undoubtedly celebratory at the same time, it's a rare example of a posthumous album that truly needed to come out. To deny the world a glimpse into what was absolutely one of the most talented musical minds not just to come out of Newcastle, but the whole country would have been such a shame. All across the record we’re treated to get to watch Szymon paint these vibrant and glowing worlds for each song to live in.

The range here is unbelievable, it's hard not to pin the musical genius tag on him given the sheer scale of his talents, with every element written and recorded by Szymon in his home studio you get the sense that he never seems to sit still for any one moment during “Tigersapp”’s run time, gently and effortlessly dancing his way through jazz, bossanova, folk, indie rock, rnb, soul and classical moments to name a few making for a totally one of a kind listening experience, to say Szymon was unbelievably versatile feels like an understatement at best but what he really excelled at was bringing everything together in an elegant and nuanced way without ever compromising on his vision.

Every delicate pluck of his guitar is backed up by so much colour; a swell of saxophone, a hit of claves or an outpouring of twinkling pianos, ‘Tigersapp’ is a rare gem of an album that feels fully realised even in its posthumous state and begs the devastating question of just how good would have Szymon become at writing and recording if he was already this prolific in his early 20’s. I don’t think I'll ever stop singing this record's praises, it's a rare flower and 10 years on it feels as vital and important as it ever has been.

For fans of Sufjan Stevens, Kings of Convenience & Bon Iver

Tracklist

A1 Golden
A2 Locks
A3 Medusa
A4 Roma
A5 Katyusha
A6 Runaway
B1 Saigon
B2 Brokenworld
B3 Zoo Story
B4 Trojan Stalks
B5 Floods
B6 Polen