THE NEW MAGIC – The Arrival

ZF2411DL | Digital Single | Release date: 5 July 2024
Available via Bandcamp.

1. The Arrival (3:57)
2. Ship of Theseus (11:13)

Track 1 is taken from the forthcoming album Worm’s Eye View (ZF2409LP/ZF2409DL). Track 2 is exclusive to this release.

Teodor Elstad – upright bass
Filip Zenon Ramberg – drums
Morten Smith Lien – tenor and soprano saxophones
Martin van Houtum – pianos, organs and synthesizers, electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals

Written, arranged, produced and mixed by Martin van Houtum.

Recorded at Battle View Studio and various other places, 2021-2023.
Track 1 mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo at Dude Ranch Studio.

Cover illustration: Detail from “Only Lovers Left Alive” by Karaska Design.
Layout by Martin van Houtum.

The New Magic is the music of Martin van Houtum, and whoever he invites along to play with him. Based in Oslo, Norway, the producer and multi-instrumentalist has been knee-deep in music throughout his entire life. You may have heard him in a number of different groups, past and present: Den Kosmiske Overorden, Zenon, Wind, The Abaia Magic – to mention a few. He has spent years exploring different instruments and sounds, eventually learning that the studio itself, and the art of song crafting, is his favorite instrument of them all.

The New Magic released the critically acclaimed album Bird’s Eye View (ZF2403LP) on Zen Feedbacker in March 2024. The two pieces featured on this promotional single were recorded for that album, but for reasons good or bad, these tracks were deemed unfit as parts of the puzzle. While some remains are better left buried, others, like these, deserve a chance at life. “The Arrival” is taken from the forthcoming companion album Worm’s Eye View (ZF2409LP), containing more material from the same sessions, while “Ship of Theseus” was dug up as an exclusive ‘b-side’ for this single.