Minneapolis-based artist Chris Bartels, known for his work under multiple monikers including Bora York and Blurstem, returns to his Elskavon project with How Cold, the latest single released via Western Vinyl. Taken from the upcoming album Panoramas, the track continues Bartels’ exploration of ambient textures and experimental vocal production, blending electronic and organic elements into a slow-building, emotionally charged composition.
How Cold opens with ambient layers and spacious, slow-moving chords. Haunting, distant vocals gradually rise in presence, creating a cinematic atmosphere that feels introspective and expansive. As the track progresses, the vocal lines become more prominent and expressive, reaching a peak before gently resolving into a subdued close. The production is rich in texture, using reverb, subtle rhythmic cues, and layered synths to build a sense of emotional weight.
The single offers a preview of Elskavon’s upcoming LP Panoramas, an album described by Bartels as both a culmination of his past work and a reinvention of the Elskavon sound. Known for pushing the boundaries of ambient and electronic music, Bartels incorporates improvisation, resampling, and unconventional vocal treatment into this new body of work.
Bartels approaches Panoramas with an emphasis on memory, place, and emotion, drawing from personal experiences and embracing spontaneity in the studio. How Cold reflects this approach, using fragmented phrases and evolving textures to convey shifting emotional states. It’s a track that balances structure and chance, delivering a listening experience that feels both grounded and exploratory.
How Cold continues Elskavon’s journey into ambient-pop territory, combining subtle rhythmic elements with melodic depth and sound design shaped by years of creative development. The full album Panoramas is scheduled for release in June 2025 via Western Vinyl.
