Belgian’s Slow Pilot shares the musically rich and emotionally attuned new album Falling off the Earth.
A [project led by songwriter Pieter Peirsman, the 11-track collection dives deep into themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the human experience. With renowned producer Luuk Cox at the helm—whose previous work includes collaborations with artists like Stromae and Loïc Nottet—Slow Pilot has crafted immersive soundscapes, comparable to Doves, Future Islands and The National.
The creation of Falling off the Earth was marked by an unusual and poignant process. During the pandemic, with live music on hold, lead singer Pieter Peirsman volunteered as a night watchman at a local hospital, spending long hours in near silence. This period of isolation and introspection sparked a wave of creativity, as Peirsman found himself channeling both personal and collective reflections into his songwriting. The solitude of those nights became a wellspring for emotional exploration, resulting in an album that resonates with anyone who has grappled with uncertainty and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose.
The music on Falling off the Earth is marked by a meticulous blend of muted electronica, warming guitars, tight drums and layered vocal harmonies to create some beautifully rich at times intimate and understated, and others expansive and cinematic soundscapes. Atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful, the musicality across the album shines bright as do the effortlessly organic, yet catchy melodies. From the melancholic slow pace of ‘Ghosts’, to the bright indie feel of ‘What you Gunna Do’ and ‘Darkest of Days’, to the beguiling blend of swelling synths and organic elements on ‘Parasites’, the album showcases an impressive depth in sonics whilst retaining a central tone and over all sense of identity.
Over two years of collaboration, Peirsman and Cox refined each track with a focus on depth and clarity, ensuring Peirsman’s expressive vocals had room to guide the listener through the album’s emotional highs and lows. The result is a sonically layered journey, capturing the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
With its intricate sound design and powerful, reflective lyricism, Falling off the Earth offers a space for listeners to connect with their own experiences and find strength in the shared human journey.
Listen below:
