Attention spans nowadays are short, and songs often clock in at three minutes or less, but Some Distant Memory’s track “Forwards and Backwards” defies the conventional, presenting an epic auditory landscape that stretches across 19 minutes and 41 seconds. Part of the album Reflections (released in June 2023), this track is an intricate blend of experimental electronic rock that demands listeners to immerse themselves fully, creating a journey that moves not just through time but across an emotional and cerebral plane.
The brainchild of Jasper Ian Albrecht, Some Distant Memory is a project that blends influences from New Wave, Post-Punk, and Outsider Music, seamlessly channeling these genres into a sound that feels both retro and futuristic. The track “Forwards and Backwards” feels less like a traditional song and more like a journey—one that flows with an ethereal, almost cosmic sense of exploration. For those unfamiliar with Some Distant Memory, this track serves as a perfect introduction to the project’s daring approach to music-making.
“Forwards and Backwards” could easily be the soundtrack to a world not unlike our own, yet entirely foreign. It opens with atmospheric synths and gradually builds, layering intricate electronic textures and distant melodies that drift in and out like fleeting memories. The track is less about verses and choruses and more about evolving movements. Each section subtly shifts, almost as if the listener is moving through different scenes of a story without realizing the transitions have happened.
The title alone, “Forwards and Backwards,” hints at a central theme of time, memory, and the cyclical nature of both. It feels like the musical equivalent of traversing through space and time, flipping between moments of tranquility and turbulence. There’s a feeling that one is not just hearing the music but experiencing it—stepping through different dimensions of sound.
What makes “Forwards and Backwards” so compelling is its ability to create vivid imagery in the listener’s mind without relying on lyrics. The track feels tailor-made for moments of deep focus, reflection or even as a background to an unfolding visual experience. There are echoes of video game soundtracks here, though to define it as such would be reductive. Instead, the music feels like a living, breathing organism—evolving, changing, and shifting with every listen.
The length of the track is perhaps its boldest feature. At nearly 20 minutes, it challenges the listener to settle in, to allow themselves to be taken on a journey without knowing exactly where it will end. The pacing is deliberate, yet there’s a constant sense of movement as if the listener is walking down a winding path that reveals new and unexpected landscapes at every turn.
“Forwards and Backwards” rewards those who engage with it fully. The gradual build of its sonic layers is a testament to the craftsmanship behind it. There’s patience in the production—no element feels rushed, and the track is given room to breathe and evolve naturally. As the piece progresses, subtle melodies and harmonies emerge from the fog of synths, almost as if offering clues to the listener about the direction of the journey. The track’s ebb and flow mimic the push and pull of time itself, creating a hypnotic rhythm that feels meditative yet always moving.
Listeners familiar with Some Distant Memory’s work will recognize this expansive approach to music-making. The project often leans into experimentation, pushing the boundaries of electronic rock and blending it with an otherworldly, almost cinematic quality. In “Forwards and Backwards,” this approach is taken to its fullest extent, resulting in a piece that feels timeless and immediate all at once.
To get real-time updates on Some Distant Memory, visit:
To get a glimpse of how the “Just A Story” music video is coming together, be sure to check it out here: https://blog.spacehey.com/entry?id=1025559