In, Voices of a First Day, Berlin-based artist Jonsjooel crafts an intimate homage to nature, life, and meaning. Drawing inspiration from Robert Lawlor’s, Voices of the First Day, a book exploring Indigenous wisdom on living in harmony with the earth, Jonsjooel’s EP is a fusion of folk, jazz, and electronica that feels as expansive as it is introspective. This four-track journey is filled with haunting landscapes that push the boundaries of traditional genres, inviting listeners to step into a new understanding of music as a vessel for exploring connection.
The EP, which began as a series of B-sides, soon developed a life of its own. Jonsjooel’s decision to let these tracks stand-alone results in a cohesive exploration of spiritual themes that permeate every note. Each song feels like a meditation, building on the foundations set by earlier singles like “Goodbye Ah” and “Somewhere Else Than Here.” These singles hinted at Jonsjooel’s growing interest in melding sound with narrative, but, Voices of a First Day, goes further, creating a space where sound becomes a conversation with nature.
The focus track “So Many Ways” embodies this exploration beautifully. With its delicate, almost crumbling layers of instrumentation, the song feels alive with tension, as though it’s always a moment away from dissolution. Jonsjooel’s vocal delivery is tender but imbued with a sense of urgency, as if he’s imparting wisdom gained through deep introspection. The song reflects on time, choice, and consequences, and its evolving melodies feel like a river flowing over rocks—powerful yet shaped by the obstacles it encounters.
In discussing “So Many Ways,” Jonsjooel reveals that he’s intentionally pushing the track toward “the edge of a total collapse.” This fragile balance makes the song a powerful listening experience; it’s as if the track itself holds the listener in a moment of suspension, inviting reflection and engagement. This track, like the rest of the EP, is a challenge and a comfort, urging listeners to find their own meaning within its depths.
With, Voices of a First Day, Jonsjooel has crafted something rare—a musical work that is as much about its message as its sound. This EP serves as both an homage to nature and a call to reconnect with the intangible aspects of life, leaving listeners with a profound sense of belonging to a world far larger than themselves.