ATUSJI introduces himself as a 21st Century singer/songwriter in his musically ambiguous debut EP SOAPBOX VOL 1, an intimate four-track expression of vulnerability and change.
Stream: ‘SOAPBOX VOL 1’ – ATUSJI
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/743198559?secret_token=s-JPVxm” params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&visual=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]Words can only begin to express how refreshing it can be to discover a totally new artistry: A musician or group that not only defies listener expectations, but also the bounds of genre as we understand them. So many sounds are made every day, but rarely are those sounds distinguishable from the masses or a exciting break into previously unexplored territory.
ATUSJI’s artistry is instantly relatable, yet totally different from that which came before. The solo artist introduces himself as a 21st Century singer/songwriter in his musically ambiguous debut EP SOAPBOX VOL 1, an intimate four-track expression of vulnerability and change.
Falling for another
who does my dishes
falling for another
who can’t know all my secrets
Baby will i ever know anyone
as i knew you
It’s what i do
it’s what i do that matters
blood pressures fine, spirit is good
cyst in the brain, blood on the sword
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering ATUSJI’s debut EP SOAPBOX VOL 1, out May 17, 2019 via Copenhagen label Big Oil Recordings. The solo project of Terkel Atsushi Røjle (Girls’ Night Out, Virgin Suicide), ATUSJI pulls from an array of alternative influences ranging from trap to acoustic and beyond. An experimental creator through and through, the half Japanese, half Danish artist (who grew up in Japan, and is now based in Denmark) owns every aspect of the creative process – from writing and recording, to producing and more.
Yet nothing quite expresses the artist’s total ownership of his project, than a deep dive into the music itself. Opening with “Mother Complex,” ATUSJI immediately introduces listeners to a broken world full of searching, yearning, and uncertainty. With a driving beat and light, ambient soundscape enveloping listeners’ ears, ATUSJI sings of moving home post-breakup and reckoning with this change of lifestyle. “It’s what I do that matters,” he croons, calm, cool and collected in the face of a dark and difficult situation. “Blood pressure’s fine, spirit is good. System will break, blood on the sword.”
The following three songs on ATUSJI’s debut find him simultaneously expanding musically and lyrically, mixing moments of rap-like singing with sweet R&B cries. “It’s Bigger Than Me” is a mature, open-minded reflection on life and perspective; “Devil on My Shoulder” is a lo-fi, ambient self-reflection; “Cloudstrife” is something of a dark dream melding fantasy and reality.
In truth, SOAPBOX VOL 1 is just the very beginning of something far greater than the sum of four songs. It’s a platform for introductions – the literal beginning from which the artist may take off in any direction, or all directions at once! Most importantly, however, it’s a direct musical outpouring of inner expression: The cathartic manifestation of Terkel Atsushi Røjle’s struggles and strains. We feel his presence in every aspect of the music, thus allowing his experiences and emotions to shine throughout this EP.
Experience the full record via our exclusive stream, and peek inside ATUSJI’s SOAPBOX VOL 1 EP with Atwood Magazine as Røjle goes track-by-track through the music and lyrics of his debut EP! SOAPBOX VOL 1 is out everywhere May 17, 2019 via The Big Oil Recording Company! pre-order here
Stream: ‘SOAPBOX VOL 1’ – ATUSJI
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/743198559?secret_token=s-JPVxm” params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]:: Inside SOAPBOX VOL 1 ::
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Mother Complex
‘mother complex’ is a song about moving home to your mom after a breakup and the complications that occurred. Wanted the EP to start out with the most direct song.
It’s Bigger Than Me
I stole a line from Murakami for the 2nd verse of ‘it’s bigger than me’. I dont remember his line exactly, but my version of it became: ‘you don’t have to judge the world by your personal standards / for no one’s quite like you / she told me sweet, but bantering’. Guess the song is a reminder to myself to get out of my own head and look out the window sometimes.
Devil On My Shoulder
‘devil on my shoulder’ is a slow train riding through Northern Sealand, Denmark.
Cloudstrife
Cloudstrife is my childhood hero from Final Fantasy 7. He’s a cool, cowboy-ish, lonely hired gun with a lot of skeletons in his closet-kind of hero. And i’m the fat bird hanging outside the window still trying to picture myself as somewhat related to him.
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:: stream/purchase ATUSJI here ::
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? © Stephanie Staal
