London, 2026

 

Calcutta-born, New York–based composer Suvobrata Dutta has released his first solo piano project, entitled After. Organised as a collection of musical moments — and perhaps an exploration of stillness and memory — and in a world so full of contradictions, it became for Dutta an attempt to slow down and simply see things as they are. While creating these pieces, the composer travelled back in time, revisiting the quiet beauty of memories and what was lost. For him, each piece is a small attempt to capture those moments, to give them shape and space, and to invite the listener to feel them too.

 

To shape the sound of his project, Dutta reached out to producer Gijs Van Klooster, who is well accustomed to the intimate piano sound of Hania Rani and Joep Beving, and who helped translate the composer’s musical intentions into sound.

The title track “After” is the shortest, like an introduction to a larger story, and takes one by surprise with its ability to dive right away into the heart of the work. The tone is set — intimate and melancholic — without getting lost in contemporary clichés; melodic and lyrical, without extravagance. “Summer”, which follows, is not bright and flashy as one might expect from the suggestive title, but rather peaceful and calming, deepening that feeling of comfort and allowing the listener to feel embraced by the warmth of Dutta’s music. “Descent” lifts the energy of After without falling out of place, allowing the narrative to be maintained. Following that, “Song for the Night” takes the idea of nocturnal music deeper and recalls the title track with a piece that allows melody to float and gently hint at the listener, rather than direct it too straightforwardly. “Turning” maintains the calming energy and, with a gentle pulse, cradles the listener deeper into the journey of the project. Once again, the melodies are almost hidden, emerging and receding in turn. “Driftwood”, perhaps the brightest of all the pieces on After, emerges and announces the closure of the musical journey with serenity. Lastly, “Transience” concludes this intimate miniature journey with a note of optimism, almost announcing that for Dutta, there is more to come…

 

The aesthetics of After have been carefully crafted by Andjela Preradovic — blending organic shapes and techniques with suggestions of urban and industrial forms. Dutta mentions finding pockets of quiet in parks, by rivers or on rooftops among the vibrant life of New York City. It is during these moments of calm that he has found his inspiration for the music of After. In return, with this project, he provides us with our own pocket of quiet, of intimacy and of solitude. After is a wonderful set of miniature moments and a strong first venture for the composer.