Dutch Artist LUWTEN Releases New Single “Sleeveless” Today
Dutch Artist Tessa Douwstra, mostly known under the moniker Luwten, is truly encapsulating the form of abstract pop with her latest single “Sleeveless” with undertones of dark pop mixed with spliced artificial sounds mixed with smooth, heavenly vocals. Luwten writes, performs and produces her own music which results in cunning pop music that encourages both the head and the heart of the listener and creator.
LUWTEN’s previous work focused on showcasing the shy and introverted, embracing your own solitude and finding comfort in being alone, however, her forthcoming album is taking an alternate route that can often be a challenge for many, which is to be that person comfortably with others in the room.
Sonically, LUWTEN fuses organic instrumentation with field recordings and sampling Her music combines a large array of influences, including indie pop, R&B, jazz, electronica, and minimalism, it sounds pure, simple and effortless in its melodies yet feels complex, profound and placed as if the songs were being interpreted as statement pieces. Tessa mentions how enamoured she was with the creative process of “working in a total vacuum.” Her prior EP released in late 2020 speaks for the work of a perfectionist who understands everything is forever changing, in her own words; “A study of a perfectionist who acknowledges that everything’s in a constant state of flux.”
The true meaning of familiarity and empathy in LUWTEN’s music lies within the process itself, she is always looking for new pathways and experiences without the manual first, determined towards opening up, allowing outside influence and evolving with her music as she does herself. Tessa discusses the notion of agency, control and freedom in light of the global pandemic of 2020/2021 which has preoccupied her recent creative process. Tessa notes; “How much being alone is because it’s helpful? How much of being alone is because you’re afraid? Does being alone help being authentic? Or is looking for authenticity something you could or even should look for with others? I noticed I’m writing a lot about thinking versus feeling and being alone versus being together with other people. I love the idea of music as self-exploration. For the maker as well as the listener.”
“Sleeveless” imagines a state in which an individual can move through existence like an open book.”
