SHOLTO's musical vision of sirens, being the every day tale of "a number of women or winged creatures whose singing lured unwary sailors on to rocks" is as dreamy and cinematic as the cover artwork!
There's been much anticipation of "cinematic maestro" SHOLTO's as the follow-up to 2024's double album, 'Letting Go Of Forever' (see review HERE).
Being his third album in three years he's not running out of ideas and I think it's fair to say the 'The Sirens' is even deeper into the cinematic as a soundtrack to the film without a film, 'The Sirens' and the "themes of duality, temptation, and emotional dislocation, in SHOLTO’s words, “blurring grief with groove, seduction and surrender”".
We know that SHOLTO is based in Hackney (Ed. which is not London's version of Hollywood) where he's joined by Syd Kemp (bass), Clementine Brown (strings) and Rachel Horton Kitchlew (harp) which makes the sound so much bigger.
Singles like 'Tied To The Mast' that brings to mind the story of JMWTurner's famous painting, 'Snow Storm, Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth' or is it Odysses lashed to the mast; John William Waterhous et al? Either way, there's the 'after the storm' moment of calm as the harp generates the 'sea mists' .
What really gets this album deep into the romantics are the strings and the use of the harp that is perfectly embraced on the lead single ‘Persephone’s Perception’ that "sets up the mythological themes of the album, reimagining the Greek goddess’s descent to Queen of the Underworld as a choice! A steady, rolling groove, low-slung bass, and euphoric string break set up a call-and-response between shadow and light, with SHOLTO embracing the beauty".
Follow up single ‘Smooth Sailing’ was a bit different as it features vocalist Phoebe Coco who perfectly reflects the other world nature of the lure of the sea. Other guests include Thomas McBrien on keys ('Temptress') and you're definitely warned by 'Invisible Conductor of the Orchestra (Come With Me)' featuring the mysterious spoken vocals of Lea Petges.
There's even more foreboding whilst there's some proper Morricone 'Swampland Of The Soul' and 'Purple Flow' (Ed. this must have been recorded in Italy?) and talking of OST, Oscar ‘SHOLTO’ Robertson has proved himself as the latest link between the likes of Sven Libaek, Piero Umiliani and David Axelrod and those is the wake of bands/producers of Surprise Chef, Sven Wunder and The Cinematic Orchestra/Jason Swincoe like on 'Ghibli's Dream'.
This is likely to be all over those DJ's of choice like Gilles Peterson, Lauren Laverne, Huey Morgan and Deb Grant (BBCR6), Jyoty (Rinse FM) and Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) so recommended to get on the pre-order as demand will be high.
BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: The Sirens | SHOLTO
Artist: SHOLTO
Title: The Sirens
Title: The Sirens
Release date: 21st November, 2025
Label : DeepMatter Records
Catalog Number : DMSH02
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp
Drums, Keys, Guitar, Bass, Flute, Percussion, Vocals – Oscar 'Sholto' Robertson
Vocals – Phoebe Coco, Lea Petges
Bass – Syd Kemp
Piano & Keys – Thomas McBrien
Harp – Rachel Kitchlew
Strings (Violin, Viola) – Clementine Brown
Cello – Sebrina Lambert Rose
Flute – Arthur Sajas
Artist – Eloïse Labarbe-Lafon
Vinyl Designer – Liam Kay
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