The New Magic is the musical vehicle of Martin van Houtum, a writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has just caught my attention with his debut album.

By Graeme Smith

Regular readers of this blog will know I’m a sucker for anything personal and unique, and that’s exactly what you get with The New Magic’s debut Bird’s Eye View. It blends together a love of fantasy with psych rock, ambient and jazz influences to create a wonderous tapestry that sounds like very little else.

An album that takes its time to unfold, we are greeted initially by the seven-and-a-bit-minute odyssey Moving Sky. A dreamy instrumental sets the tone before light and airy vocals come in. From there we get lost in a blissful groove that rises and falls, with plenty of unexpected interludes, finally arriving at a psychedelic breakdown.

Across another seven track, we are taken on a journey. Bright yet introspective moments (Sink / Soar Forever, Soft Marble Dance) are contrasted by edgy expansiveness (Deep Blue Sea, Future Falling Over). Title track Bird’s Eye View proves a subtle, slow-burning and hypnotic highlight before the previously released singles New Day and The Elevator bring things to a close with some bold brassiness and pleasant percussion.

Bird’s Eye View is an album for life’s slower moments when one wants to escape the rush of modern life. There’s enough texture and experimentation in it that it always keeps you intellectually stimulated, so be prepared to be hooked on its every movement. Fans of Tame Impala or Brian Eno definitely need to check it out.

Featuring on Bird’s Eye View are Per Kamfjord on vocals, Filip Zenon Ramberg on drums, Teodor Elstad on double bass and Morten Smith Lien on saxophone. The album is out now to stream and on vinyl via Oslo, Norway-based label Zen Feedbacker. You can check it out below.