The longevity of the shoegaze and dreampop genres is a testament to their creativity and the way they haven’t compromised integrity for commercial gain. There is a place for all types in the music world, and with latest single ‘Everything Was Taken Away’ Gdansk based musical project Pjos has nailed his colours to the mast as an experimental artist, creating soundscapes that soothe and challenge in equal measure.

This, the third single from Pjos, is reminiscent of the ambient sounds of Berlin-era Bowie, using the ‘waves of sound’ method of gentle aural assault. Overlaid washes of guitar create a mesmerising backdrop, complete with scattered droplets of a three-note piano signature to entice the listener, and the vocal is placed far back in the ether of the mix, merely another sheet of sound for the overall effect. This is music as art, layers of melody and tone creating the overall picture for us to savour.

Released alongside is the track ‘But It’s Gonna Be Okay’, a continuation of the outro to the lead song described by the man himself as “contemplative closure, creating a contrast that glimpses hope through melancholy.”

The influence of the likes of Slowdive, Molly and Sigur Ros are close to the surface here, but this is more of a tribute to them than a copy. A wonderful couplet of songs that point to a bright future, there are plans for Pjos to release more music in 2025, and with the ambition to play live also being a possibility this should be the launch pad needed for much bigger things.

Everything Was Taken Away is available to stream now on the usual sites, and to purchase as a digital release on Bandcamp, with a lyric video available on YouTube.