Katharina by ART SCHOP is a subtle and enigmatic acoustic folk track exploring the life of Katharina Kepler, the mother of Johannes Kepler, the German mathematician and astronomer born in the 16th century. The track creates this expansive musical soundscape, exploring the uncertainty within her story. You can almost hear the sands of time eroding and changing the story as it develops.

The vocal performance is unique and personal. The vocalist explained, “Although it is ostensibly about Katharina Kepler, this song has always felt very personal to me.” This tone comes through in the delivery, which feels more like a track about self-discovery than a song about someone else. The unspoken inherent connection between our singer and the key concept of the track opens up the narrative and allows the listener to feel they can relate to it too. The guitar is another strong suit, guiding the track from beginning to end along with the vocals. The guitar supports throughout the track, bolstering the melody with an alternative and complex sonic texture. The vocals have a meandering and gentle tone, so the consistency of the guitar helps to balance out their languid style, providing an injection of energy without taking away from the subtleties of the track’s DNA. The drums are an underrated aspect that develops more than the rhythmic structure. The hiss and crash of the drums add to the ethereal tone of the song. They contribute a bold shimmer. There is a subtle reverb on the drums that gives the sound of these tracers that follow the rhythm. There are several layers of guitar that mould and form on top of one another. This sonic choice doesn’t just create a wall of sound; it feels more like musical fog that engulfs the listener. All of these subtle trills and embellishments add colour that heightens the track, bringing its sound to life. This track is unique and mysterious, weaving a brilliant narrative that doesn’t compromise on sonic execution.