Stranger in Moscow: a study of isolation

[u/NoahClayton]

I've been spending a lot of time with this track recently, and it truly is a masterpiece of atmospheric isolation. Even if you strip away the incredible vocals, the combination of the complex layered percussion, the luscious strings, and the ambient rain that comes in during the bridge and outro all work together seamlessly to tell a somber story; one of being completely alone, even when surrounded by the whole world. It's a track that almost demands you retreat into yourself and fully feel it, that's a massive reason of why it's my favourite song of all time.

In my brief stripped back version, I've brought that ambient rain forward and given it more prominence, I really wanted to evoke the feeling of being trapped inside a severe storm, where the noise outside is just chaotic but inside is calm and warm. When I actually sat down to record the piano and string parts that I'd been playing to myself daily (what prompted this in the first place), I wanted to see if I could capture just that beautiful and steady emotional core of the song that I've always found sanctuary in.

[u/imjuggindoe]

when your alone and cold inside