Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

“She was my savior. And that was the problem. What was I to her? An empty prayer. A hollow hand.”

This quote comes from Kevin Brooks’ short film, For Goodbyes, and it resonated with pianist and producer Emil Friis, providing the inspiration and the title for this new EP of compositions.

As the press release describes, Friis uses “a carefully assembled recording chain consisting of Extinct Audio ribbon microphones, a vintage U47 and additional FET microphones — alongside processing through Moog filters and a Wellspring reverb unit”. To this he adds field recordings captured in Italy during the summer of 2025.

What’s the music like?

Hands, Hollowed proceeds with a steady toll from the piano, though surrounding it are clouds and watery ripples that reflect and refract the music. Some Fine Afternoon is drowsy in a really appealing way, a languid piano arpeggio dressed with something more ornate but equally calming.

Hands, Remembered is a slow memorial piece, stately in the progress of its piano chords but rather beautiful in the muffled chorale that surrounds them. As Sun I Meet You Now is an extended composition, which through its insistent electronic ticking initially sounds as though someone left a machine on by accident, at a distance of a quarter tone to the music. It introduces a blend of comfort and unease, resolved in the toll for the right hand with which the piece ends, a powerful and affirmative statement.

Does it all work?

It does – the four movements taken together provide a distinctive and valuable time out.

Is it recommended?

Yes. Dreamy escapism is on offer with this EP, but look closer and the detail is equally there to enjoy in subsequent listens. Recommended.

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,950 – Friday 17 July 2026