German classical musician turned electronic producer Zylva fuses these two seemingly incompatible strands into an accomplished debut album informed by heartbreak and mental health challenges. The best moments here arrive when Zylva switches off the Auto-Tune effect that characterises some songs -
'Dolphins & Roses' is a reflective, introspective piece where delicato synths rest atop plaintive piano, while 'Echoes From A Theatre' is inchoate and distant, her vocals delivered with a moving honesty.

When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?Listening to music opens up a space where various things emerge.
I, too, associate sounds with colors. It's a physical experience for me, and depending on the music, my body resonates in different ways. I might feel lighter or heavier, experience goosebumps, or cry or laugh. Any feeling or sensation is possible.
I listen to music in all situations, whether my eyes are open or closed. ometimes, when I attend live concerts, I like to close my eyes to minimize visual stimuli and focus solely on the music.

What were your very first steps in music like - and how do you rate gains made through experience versus the naiveté of those first steps?
My first steps in music were dancing to my uncle's music. He is a musician too, and I started playing the piano at the age of three. I remember it being very playful, and that element still exists in my music today, especially when I'm playing and writing my own songs.
I believe both aspects have their own qualities. Finding a balance between the two is beautiful, in my opinion.
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“I started playing the piano at a very young age, so it feels kind of natural to me” Zylva tells us of her musical roots. However, she began to feel constrained creatively as a concert pianist and so began to pursue the production of electronic music. Her debut album, Poems in the Dark, released early last month on 9 June, demonstrates the multi-faceted nature of Zylva as an artist: her beautiful relationship with the piano, as well as her clear passion for electronic music. Now she is creator, muse, and performer.
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