Soccer Committee

Mariska Baars, aka soccer Committee is a force to be reckoned with: whoever heard one of her albums, or was lucky enough to see her live, knows that no one masters the art of peeling away every unnecessary layer of a song like she does. And now, with 'Eye', her fifth release on Morc Records in nearly two decades, she’s gifted us her most layered work yet.

From the very first notes, it’s clear that Baars is at the peak of her powers. The most traditional song here remind us why we fell for her songwriting in the first place: they’re delicately strong and quietly fierce. Other pieces showcase her mastery in manipulating texture and silence - even more than ever. Throughout 'Eye', she's evoking an atmosphere so hushed you lean in, afraid to miss a single detail. Baars weaves it all together in a way that only she can, crafting a listening experience that holds you in its spell from start to finish.

Her compositions unfold gradually, marked by precision and restraint. Every note and sound has a purpose, there are no unnecessary elements present. Nevertheless, 'Eye' distinguishes itself as Baars’s most complex work thus far. There are a few premieres on this album: 'Little Sorrow' includes a piano segment, performed by her brother Wil, while 'Frozen Tide' features a passage performed on the Hardanger violin by her neighbour Niki Jansen. In 'Pretty Little Foxes', due to subtle use of effects it sounds like Mariska is using an organ - she's not. Most striking, perhaps, are the carefully chosen field recordings that echo the sounds of the Millingerwaard nature reserve, in Baars' hometown. And as such, these are direct glimpses of what she hears whilst working on her compositions: evocative sounds, with distinctive textures that seem to form a loose melody, incorporating lots of silence. Just like her music.