Forgotten Keys by Softstroke

Sometimes, when we're out in those old, silent places – the forgotten halls where the light barely touches the dust motes and every creak whispers a story – that's where the heart of Softstroke lives. It’s where our sound started, finding those pianos gathering dust, just waiting to share their secrets. Our new record, *Forgotten Keys*, really dives into that feeling.

This album isn't just a collection of songs; it’s a journey, a kind of ghost story told through cracked wood and echoing air. We imagined this lone folkloric spirit, cast out by everyone, wandering through these abandoned concert halls, trying to find a place to belong. Each track is a step in its path, from the first hesitant breath among the 'Dust Choir' to the quiet acceptance found in the final notes. For us, it feels like we’re telling stories as old as time, but through the literal ruins of something grand and beautiful, letting the instruments themselves remember every legend whispered in the dust. It’s a lot like our own lives, I think, trying to make peace with rejection and eventually finding strength in who you are.

Musically, we spent a lot of time trying to get it just right. You'll hear the unique textures of prepared pianos, sometimes feeling fragile and haunted, other times powerful enough to mimic shattering stone. We layered in the clear, ringing sounds of crystal glass, soft, felt pianos that feel like old memories, and the deep hum of muted strings. It's a melancholic soundscape, sure, but there's a real pulse underneath it all, a quiet heartbeat that blooms in moments of release. We really tried to push the boundaries of what these forgotten instruments can say, allowing them to carry the weight of something ancient while still feeling completely fresh and immediate.

The whole album builds to this incredible moment in the 'Glass Antler Hymn.' It's where that spirit, after everything, finds its voice and sings that refrain: 'Even broken horns can crown the dawn.' It's a simple line, but it’s packed with so much meaning for us, a reminder that even when things feel broken, there’s a quiet power in reclaiming your story. We hope that when you listen, you feel that same pull – that sense of memory, loss, and the strength of finding beauty in what's been left behind. It’s an album about acceptance, for the spirit in the story, and maybe, for all of us.

We found our sound hiding in empty buildings where pianos gather dust. These forgotten places whisper stories through cracked windows and weathered keys, and we translate those whispers into music that moves between silence and breath.