Music for Sketches by Tobias Svensson (Review)

If you were to look into the musical career of Swedish composer Tobias Svensson after listening to Music for Sketches, you might be a bit shocked. The multi-instrumentalist plays in a wide range of genres, including experimental/avant jazz, hardcore, and punk — all genres with reputations for getting in your face. However, there’s nothing quite so aggressive about Music for Sketches’ four songs, which blend gorgeous and elegant piano compositions with fluttering, diaphanous electronics and the occasional string flourish.

It’s all routinely lovely music, by turns reminiscent of modern classical composers like Nils Frahm and Max Richter, as well as Aphex Twin’s more contemplative moments. Each song on Music for Sketches is a gorgeous jewel in its own right, such that you want to listen to each song multiple times to make sure you’ve developed a full appreciation before moving on to the next one. That being said, “Float” is especially affecting thanks to the strings that sing out in its final moments.