Syzmon’s Tigersapp is a record with bittersweet context. Holed up in his bedroom studio in Newcastle, Szymon Borzestowski spent time crafting dreamlike, humble indie that shares qualities seen in records by Grimes, Youth Lagoon and Washed Out. Sadly, Borzestowski lost his life at the young age of 23. Years later, the remnants of his creative exploits live on, culminating in a posthumous record that has wondrous life coursing through its veins.
Tigersapp’s soundscapes are immersive and evocative. On opener ‘Golden’, the acoustic guitar has an echoing quality of isolation juxtaposed against a sprightly melody. There’s something wayfaring about it, like drifting through a forest – much like the single’s artwork. ‘Saigon’ nurtures laidback haze that is reminiscent of Groove Armada’s ‘At The River’. Throughout the record, there’s an effortless blend of electronic and acoustic; a dance of the artificial and organic that just works.
Szymon’s songwriting is wavering and delicate, often striking a chord between Sufjan Stevens and Little Dragon. It’s airy, lighthearted and complimentary to the lively instrumentals. This makes for a warm, intimate record that simply melancholic without being timid. Despite the bulk of this record being written in the confines of a bedroom, it has a beautiful quality of escapism to it.
Tigersapp gives Szymon’s work the exposure it deserves in an evocative and mellow 40 minutes. It may get washed away in the late summer release onslaught, but it’s a record worth your time.
7bitarcade - Archive 