This morning it is not easy to wake up. You struggle to get out of bed, a little too quickly, and you feel dizzy. When you look in the mirror, you’re not sure if you recognise yourself, if this is reality or if you’re still in a dream. Why does everything seem so complicated? What world did you wake up in, what has it done to your mind?
These are some of the thoughts and feelings that inspired Skeleten, the stage name of Russell Fitzgibbon, a well known producer, DJ, vocalist and instrumentalist on the Sydney scene, to compose his new album Mentalized, the first singles from which are now available and which is due for release in February 2025. Whether you’re still half asleep or fully awake, let’s gently immerse ourselves in his universe, out of time for a moment.
Skeleten’s selection
D.C Cross - Magnet Club
Skeleten: ” Very first thing in the morning, especially Sunday mornings, I really need to hear something acoustic and instrumental, to remember the earth is full. This is one of my favourites from a really beautiful ambient guitar album by D.C Cross, a Sydney/Eora guitarist and composer. “
Earthling - Morning Song
Skeleten: ” This song absolutely does what it means to. It’s like if Lou Reed was from Tokyo and still half asleep. It never fails to make me smile and remember life is not about productivity. “
Alucidnation - Induce/The Secret Title
Skeleten: ” Sometimes I struggle with sweetness, but I think Sunday mornings should definitely be sweet. A DIY recording project from 2004, I stumbled across this and just loved the naivety and hope that comes through. It’s almost fragile while being uplifting, which to me is a reflection of a perfect Sunday morning. “
MailTape’s selection
Skeleten - Bodys Chorus
Jules: ” “Bodys Chorus” is the latest single from Skeleten’s new album, released on 26 November. Personally, it was via his previous album, Under Utopia, released in July 2023, that I discovered the Australian producer, with his unique combination of familiar and floating sounds. On this new album, utopia and hope seem to give way to more strangeness and mystery, but the artist’s universe is as captivating as ever. “
Twin Shadow - Yellow Balloon
Jules: ” This track is taken from Twin Shadow’s debut album, Forget, released 10 years ago. It was thanks to this track that I discovered the talent of this Californian producer, whose deep, calm voice floats gently in the air and reminds me of Skeleten. “
loket - Afternoon at Bärenquell
Jules: ” loket is the saxophone alias of Tahl Klainman, a multi-faceted figure in Berlin’s alternative and underground scene, whose diverse productions span ambient, trance, techno and jazz. On this track, taken from his EP All Ages released in June 2023, he demonstrates the full range of his influences, from jazz and electronica to trip-hop and downtempo, climaxing in a daydreamy finale that leaves us floating in mid-air. “
DJ Subaru & Tiss Vampiric - My Love
Jules: ” Now we’ve emerged from the haze, perhaps only to return to it. On this disco-gothic track, the voice of singer Tiss Vampiric, who hails from London’s shadowy underworld, accompanies the synths of DJ Subaru, an artist well known to the Leeds and Berlin scenes. A feeling of energy that continues to coexist with mystery. ”
That’s it for this morning, thank you for joining us! Many thanks to Thibault Daumain for his stunning illustration. Much love to Skeleten for his dreamy and blissful selection, perfect for getting out of bed or not… Remember, as Russell said, life is not about productivity!
