Our favorite multi-tasking Belgradian Erik Mut returns with his band of worldly savages with another album of embittered social commentary and provocative musical passages on FUTURE THUNDER VOID.
The Canadian-born Eric Mut is a force to be reckoned with. After leaving his hometown of Toronto in 2008, enamored by the Balkans, he moved for good to the Serbian capital Belgrade, where he assembled his band The Worldly Savages, and went on to tour all over Europe, electrifying crowds with their energetic, punk-folk vibe that boasts a plethora of ethnic instrumentation in tightly arranged musical passages, backed by Erik’s contemplative lyrics, inspired by his own adventures, and putting on full display his guttural, heartfelt deliveries.
Erik & The Worldly Savages made a lasting impression on me with their 2022 EP ‘Break Free’, an album that stunned me with its lush musical soundscapes, full of neatly packaged accordions, violins, and twangy, characterful guitars, playing beautiful alt-folk that I found truly memorable. So, I was endlessly excited to dive into their new album to see where they decided to take their sound, and I’m pleased to say that FUTURE THUNDER VOID is different, but just as rich.
FUTURE THUNDER VOID largely ditches the Mediterranean-inspired arrangements of their last EP for more Latin ones that revolve around booming beats, lush, mariachi horn sections, and a more streamlined rhythmic approach. Thunder in our hearts is the gut-wrenching starter. A grand, slow-burner that makes its case for celebrating the fire that burns in our individual chests, allowing us to dream and stand out from the crowd. The music is warm and downstate, with a prominent melody from an ever-present horn section. The production is as crisp as ever, with each instrument in the bustling arrangement sounding detailed and clear.
The melancholy of the starting cut is toned down a bit in Embrace the Void. The 7/4 time signature is carefully treated to make the arrangement sound on the verge of falling apart, yet not be too distracting. The restrained, horn-heavy sound continues with more reliance on Erik’s lyrics. The song’s trumpet solo is stirring and provides a moment of blissful relief. The album’s more streamlined sound can be attached to its reliance on smooth horns and ambient electric guitar sounds. Always follows suit. The more serious sound continues with less satire in the social commentary, and darker, largely simpler compositions and arrangements, that succeed in steering a large part of the attention to Erik’s words.
Scarcity provides us with this album’s sole moment that resembles the Eastern European alt-folk of ‘Break Free!’. Albeit toned down and more understated, the song features a stirring fusion of Mexican-flavored horns and Mediterranean beats and chord progressions, and this fusion is elevated to heavenly heights with a middle eastern horn solo that’s simply inspirational. Sudden, masterful, and quite delicious, this solo is easily the album’s most unforgettable musical passage. Future closes the album with the warmth of smooth trumpets and acoustic guitar. An atmospheric, melancholic closer rich with rhythmic melodies that bookends one more collection of provocative musical pieces from Erik Mut & his Worldly Savages.
This album is a stunning departure from the band’s latest album, which is a testament to Erik Mut’s vision as an artist and to the band’s collective musical abilities, which is on beautiful display on this album of tasteful mariachi themes and reflective lyrics. FUTURE THUNDER VOID should be on your radar.
Our favorite multi-tasking Belgradian Erik Mut returns with his band of worldly savages with another album of embittered social commentary and provocative musical passages on FUTURE THUNDER VOID.
The Canadian-born Eric Mut is a force to be reckoned with. After leaving his hometown of Toronto in 2008, enamored by the Balkans, he moved for good to the Serbian capital Belgrade, where he assembled his band The Worldly Savages, and went on to tour all over Europe, electrifying crowds with their energetic, punk-folk vibe that boasts a plethora of ethnic instrumentation in tightly arranged musical passages, backed by Erik’s contemplative lyrics, inspired by his own adventures, and putting on full display his guttural, heartfelt deliveries.
Erik & The Worldly Savages made a lasting impression on me with their 2022 EP ‘Break Free’, an album that stunned me with its lush musical soundscapes, full of neatly packaged accordions, violins, and twangy, characterful guitars, playing beautiful alt-folk that I found truly memorable. So, I was endlessly excited to dive into their new album to see where they decided to take their sound, and I’m pleased to say that FUTURE THUNDER VOID is different, but just as rich.
FUTURE THUNDER VOID largely ditches the Mediterranean-inspired arrangements of their last EP for more Latin ones that revolve around booming beats, lush, mariachi horn sections, and a more streamlined rhythmic approach. Thunder in our hearts is the gut-wrenching starter. A grand, slow-burner that makes its case for celebrating the fire that burns in our individual chests, allowing us to dream and stand out from the crowd. The music is warm and downstate, with a prominent melody from an ever-present horn section. The production is as crisp as ever, with each instrument in the bustling arrangement sounding detailed and clear.
The melancholy of the starting cut is toned down a bit in Embrace the Void. The 7/4 time signature is carefully treated to make the arrangement sound on the verge of falling apart, yet not be too distracting. The restrained, horn-heavy sound continues with more reliance on Erik’s lyrics. The song’s trumpet solo is stirring and provides a moment of blissful relief. The album’s more streamlined sound can be attached to its reliance on smooth horns and ambient electric guitar sounds. Always follows suit. The more serious sound continues with less satire in the social commentary, and darker, largely simpler compositions and arrangements, that succeed in steering a large part of the attention to Erik’s words.
Scarcity provides us with this album’s sole moment that resembles the Eastern European alt folk of ‘Break Free!’. Albeit toned down and more understated, the song features a stirring fusion of Mexican-flavored horns and Mediterranean beats and chord progressions, and this fusion is elevated to heavenly heights with a middle eastern horn solo that’s simply inspirational. Sudden, masterful, and quite delicious, this solo is easily the album’s most unforgettable musical passage. Future closes the album with the warmth of smooth trumpets and acoustic guitar. An atmospheric, melancholic closer rich with rhythmic melodies that bookends one more collection of provocative musical pieces from Erik Mut & his Worldly Savages.
This album is a stunning departure from the band’s latest album, which is a testament to Erik Mut’s vision as an artist and to the band’s collective musical abilities, which is on beautiful display on this album of tasteful mariachi themes and reflective lyrics. FUTURE THUNDER VOID should be on your radar.
