Distractions In A Capitalist World

Album review

Although young, Teodor Wolgers' reflective, almost melancholic music, has blessed the ears of many worldwide. His music speaks a level of maturity that is far beyond his years. Distractions in a Capitalist World is Wogler’s debut album after a string of successful EP’s. The topic of the album is an ambitious one at that, aiming to question the structures of life, as well as the human condition, under the reign of modern day capitalism. Rather than the album being a direct critique on the demands of capitalism, Wolgers' has instead cleverly created an album of reflection. Each track revolves around how the ceaseless distractions of capitalism have a tendency to draw us away from what is really important in life. Instead of trying to make a political statement on these topics, Wolgers' gives us the opportunity to be distracted from these demands. This album carefully dips us in and out of reality like puppets on a string (yet another nod to our capitalist world) by sprinkling subtle nods to modern life through the use of familiar sample recordings that coincide, yet never overpower, his minimalist writing.

Teodor’s reworking of Daniel Avery & Alessandro Cortini’s ‘Illusion of Time’ was hailed as a ”Cinematic and optimistic masterpiece” by Sian Eleri on BBC Radio 1, and this statement is again reflected in the track ‘If you Run Through Life, You Will Die Faster’ which could easily be plucked straight from any film from the Sundance Film Festival. His prominence as a mixer and producer becomes evident on ‘Ghosts in the Machine’ which evolves into a lo-fi - esque track accompanied by an incensent clicking noise, one that is all too familiar in our lives, yet somehow conjures an uncomfortable feeling of recognition in such a peaceful track. This clicking sound, which is featured constantly throughout the album, serves as a reminder to the audience that we are only momentarily distracted by the music that we are using as an escape, slowly dipping us into madness, reminiscent of the beating heart in Poe’s ‘A Tell-Tale Heart’.
‘System Failure’ presents a more political statement, sampling a reading of Yale professor Martin Hägglund reciting his international best seller 'This Life', accompanied by sweeping violins. Wolgers' kept this track short, which adds necessary punctuation to an album surrounding such an ambitious topic. The following track, ‘What are the Youth to Do’, featuring Wolger’s solo piano playing, creates the space for the audience to reflect and consider the words of Hägglund. 
As the album rounds out to a close, ‘Think Different’ has an easy-going, almost uplifting tone where Wolger’s previous pop influence and work becomes evident. The album closes with American poet, Rena Priest, who is performing a reading of her poem 'The Index'. The piano is simple, yet the overlapping of samples in the background slowly descends us back into our Capitalist reality. The occasional breathing sounds invite the listener to join, creating a sense of calm before we rejoin the world after the journey that is Distractions in a Capitalist World.

This is a stunning start to what is bound to be a long and fruitful career for the young Teodor Wolgers'. This album creates a safe, reflective, yet engaging space for the listener whilst also making gentle political statements. The production and mixing, which was done by Wolgers' himself, is well thought out across each track, which calls on us to listen to this album in its entirety from start to finish as we flow between dream state and reality. © Jessica Porter-Langson/Qobuz