Over the past decade, Oscar “Sholto” Robertson has quietly built a reputation as one of the leading figures in the world of cinematic psychedelia and experimental soul. First making waves with 2023’s The Changing Tides of Dreams, Sholto’s ability to weave intricate, retro-inspired compositions garnered praise from tastemakers like Gilles Peterson and Jyoty. A touring drummer, producer for acts like Katy J Pearson, and half of the production duo Sunglasses for Jaws, Sholto’s multifaceted career has now culminated in the release of Letting Go of Forever, an ambitious double LP that confirms his status as a boundary-pushing composer in the realm of modern instrumental music.
Clocking in at a sprawling 26 tracks, Letting Go of Forever is a richly textured exploration of impermanence. Drawing on influences ranging from Miles Davis to David Axelrod, and even Mozart, Sholto crafts a sound that is both meticulously retro and boldly contemporary. Thematically, the album reflects on the transience of life and the beauty found in letting go—a deeply personal concept shaped by Sholto’s own experiences with loss and transformation. From Sholto’s sweeping arrangements to the haunting string passages and magical harp contributions by guest musicians Clementine Brown and Rachel Horton Kitchlew, the whole record feels like a meditation on the ephemeral nature of existence.
The album’s standout tracks exemplify its balance of experimentation and accessibility. “For the Love of Stripes” and “Ligurian Storm” evoke a cinematic mystique, blending shimmering vibraphones, intricate percussion, and lush pads. “Tell Me Myths,” featuring Australian vocalist Elle Músa, is a striking departure—a bilingual exploration set against hypnotic loops. Elsewhere, the playful string-led melodies of “Moki” offer a tender tribute to jazz great Don Cherry’s wife Moki, while the swirling synths and dreamlike textures of “Love Lagoon” transport listeners to a surreal world born from Sholto’s subconscious. Taken as a whole, the album highlights Sholto’s uncanny ability to draw from diverse influences without losing his cohesive artistic vision.
With Letting Go of Forever, Sholto not only solidifies his place among the likes of contemporaries like Sven Wunder and Surprise Chef but also proves himself as an artist unafraid to embrace the complexities of life and channel them into art. It’s an ambitious album that leaves a lasting impression, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its vivid soundscapes while contemplating the fleeting nature of it all.
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