Darkness and light, aggression and gentleness, ecstasy and reflection: these dualities define Slow Magic’s third and strongest project to date, Float. An expansive and inventive compendium of modern electronic pop, the enigmatic producer’s latest spans a multitude of genres and moods resulting in a listening experience that makes for its own journey. Written and recorded over the past two years, work on Float commenced shortly after touring behind 2014’s dreamy How to Run Away, the record’s jagged and surprising new sounds taking shape after a leisurely trip to Iceland in order to “try to get away” from things. A subsequent trip to Japan—wherein Slow Magic performed in the country for the first time—further solidified what would go into the album’s sonic and visual motifs. Float marks a number of “firsts” for Slow Magic: it’s the first time the producer’s worked with live drums, as well as the first time they’ve brought guest vocalists into the Slow Magic world, from MNDR and Swedish electro-rockers Kate Boy to like-minded producer Tropics and Antlers frontman Peter Silberman. But it’s a testament to Slow Magic’s unique creative approach that these different voices coalesce on an album that presents a uniform vision even as it embraces exuberant creativity. Music has always provided a retreat for anyone looking to lose themselves in pure sound, and Float is a trip that no one will regret taking. Next, Slow Magic is planning to release his 5th debut album later this summer of 2023.