I put on “ARCHIVE” by Third Bloom and Mishkin Fitzgerald late at night, not really expecting much. Just another listen before bed. But somewhere around the middle of the record, I stopped scrolling on my phone. And by the end… I just sat there. Didn’t move. Let the final seconds hang in the room.
This album doesn’t rush you. It sort of unfolds. Third Bloom builds these electronic pieces that feel patiient, almost careful with soft orchestral touches tucked inside. You can hear space between sounds. Some tracks don’t even need vocals. They just sit there and grow slowly, like they’re thinking.
Then Mishkin’s voice comes in on some tracks and it changes the temperature a little. Not in a dramatic way. More like the lights dimming slightly. If you know her other work, you know she can lead with just piano and presence. Here, she doesn’t try to dominate anything. She moves with the production instead of over it. I liked that. It feels controlled but still emotional.
There’s also a nice shift from track to track. One moment feels distant and cold. Another feels almost calm, but not completely safe either. I kept noticing small details – a background sound, a texture, a quiet layer that I missed the first time around. I replayed a few tracks immediately. Not because they’re loud or catchy. Just because I wanted to sit inside them again.
It honestly feels like two artists meeting halfway and trusting each other’s instincts. No showing off. Just ideas placed carefully next to each other. So yeah… this isn’t background music for me. It asked for my attention. I’m glad I gave it.
