Forwards and Backwards by Some Distant Memory
Some Distant Memory has crafted a piece that defies conventional listening experiences, where boundaries blur and sounds become stories. “Forwards and Backwards” is a sonic odyssey that unfolds like a journey through time itself. Nestled within Part One of the Reflections album, the track stands as its longest and perhaps most enigmatic offering, immersing listeners in a unique auditory experience that feels both familiar and otherworldly.
At its core, “Forwards and Backwards” seems to encapsulate the essence of the album’s broader themes—introspection, nostalgia, and the fluidity of memory. Like its title suggests, the track operates in a liminal space, constantly shifting between forward momentum and moments of reflection, drawing the listener into a meditative trance. It’s a piece that transcends traditional song structure, creating a narrative of sound that feels more like a chapter from an unwritten story, where every beat and note serves a purpose in unraveling its mystery.
What makes the track stand out is the way it seamlessly incorporates its influences, which range from New Wave and post-punk to the more abstract corners of outsider music. There’s an unmistakable sense of rawness here—a reminder of the DIY ethos that has driven so much of underground music. Yet, amid this rawness, there is an undeniable sophistication in its structure. Like a master weaver, Jasper Ian Albrecht— the creative force behind Some Distant Memory—knots together these disparate threads of sound to create something cohesive, yet intentionally fragmented, much like the way memories often feel.
The title, “Forwards and Backwards,” becomes more poignant the longer you listen. The track has a cyclical quality, as though it loops in on itself, revisiting moments and reinterpreting them in a slightly different context. It never truly settles into one particular groove, and that’s what makes it so captivating. There’s always a sense that something is about to shift, much like the ebb and flow of memory itself—uncertain, elusive, and constantly in motion.
There’s also a strong narrative undercurrent to the track. You can’t help but feel as though you’re being told a story without words. Each section of the track introduces a new “scene,” building on the one that came before it yet pushing it in a new direction. It’s easy to imagine “Forwards and Backwards” as the soundtrack to a visual experience—perhaps an expansive, atmospheric game or even an abstract film. But more than that, it feels like it could be the soundtrack to the spaces in between moments—the fleeting flashes of memory and thought that we often forget but are still there, subtly shaping our experiences.
“Forwards and Backwards” culminates in a slow unraveling, where the energy built up over its 19-minute span dissipates into the ether, leaving behind a quiet hum that lingers long after the track ends. It’s a perfect metaphor for memory itself—something that can be revisited and reinterpreted but never fully recaptured.
As with much of Some Distant Memory’s work, there’s an element of the fantastical embedded in “Forwards and Backwards.” The track’s connection to the larger NORS narrative—a fictional universe tied to the Runescape-inspired world that Jasper and his collaborators have built—only adds to its mystique. In this sense, the track becomes not just a piece of music but part of a larger multimedia experience that invites the listener to explore new dimensions.
“Forwards and Backwards” is an experience. It’s a testament to the creative vision of Some Distant Memory, a project that continues to push boundaries and redefine what music—and memory—can be.
Explore more of Some Distant Memory:
https://www.norsupdates.com
To check out the progress of their music video, “Just A Story,” visit: https://blog.spacehey.com/entry?id=1025559
