“Astray” by Lena & van Dorst Is Haunting and Beautiful
You really have to appreciate it when a band decides to just ignore the charts and make something that sounds exactly like themselves. That is what Suzanne Lena and Pepijn van Dorst have done with their new single, “Astray.” It came out on March 20th, and it is a perfect example of what happens when a classical singer and a sound designer decide to get weird in a studio in Rotterdam.
The two met back in their conservatory days in Utrecht, but it took a while for them to finally sit down and make music together. Lena has this background as a mezzo-soprano and a backing vocalist, while van Dorst has spent years as a guitarist and film composer. You can definitely hear those influences creeping in. They cite people like Kate Bush and Sting as inspirations, and you can feel that “art-pop” energy right away.
The story behind “Astray” is actually pretty relatable, if a little creepy. It is about a long-term relationship where one person realizes things are starting to fall apart. It is that quiet, sinking feeling when you know something is wrong but you aren’t ready to have the big “harsh truth” talk yet. Suzanne even wrote in a woodpecker sound as a symbol for someone trying to protect their territory while something new is calling from the outside.
What is really cool about this track is how it was made. It started as a simple piano ballad, but they felt like it was missing something. Instead of just throwing a standard drum kit on it, Pepijn had the crazy idea to use Suzanne’s own breathing to create the rhythm. They built the whole song on top of that, adding real double bass, violins, and percussion from guest musicians.
The result is a song that feels very “handmade.” It is clear, honest, and doesn’t sound like it was run through a factory. It has these layers of vocals and a synth-riff that keep things feeling modern, but the real instruments give it a weight that you just don’t get from a laptop.
If you like music that tells a real story and isn’t afraid to be a little bit different, “Astray” is definitely worth a listen. It feels like bringing the songs “home” to Rotterdam, and it is a great introduction to a duo that clearly values their artistic integrity over everything else.
Enjoy More From Lena & van Dorst here;
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