Have you ever had an idea strike you out of nowhere, like a lightning bolt during a quiet coffee break? Earlier this week, that’s exactly what happened to me. As I sipped my morning coffee during a work day, the overarching theme for my forthcoming album suddenly crystallized in my mind.
For the past year, I’ve been exploring various themes and concepts. From apocalyptic visions to intimate fears and sci-fi epics, I’ve tried them all. Yet, each idea felt incomplete, like a melody without with a slightly wrong chord progression. Writing new songs has been a cakewalk, but the big question remained: what do I truly want to say with this album?
I can’t divulge too much about the theme yet, but I can reveal that it perfectly complements the melancholic melodies I’ve been crafting. It’s dystopian, not in a hard sci-fi way, but through a psychological lens that examines a dystopian situation.
This creative exploration has taught me that creativity isn’t always a straight path. Sometimes, it’s a winding road filled with echoes of what might be. As I prepare to write more music this weekend, I’m also ready to immerse myself in the sounds that have always fueled my passion.
What themes resonate with you in music? How do you connect with the melodies and stories woven into albums?
Or: when listening to an album, do you care about the theme and the lyrics at all?
Jarmo Puolakanaho 