Few artists can craft an instrumental journey that speaks so vividly without words, but fight to keep from sinking, the latest full-length album from multi-instrumentalist and composer peejmudd, accomplishes just that. Set for release on March 14, 2025, this sprawling 14-track collection is a masterclass in post-rock, ambient, and neo-classical fusion, delivering waves of introspection, resilience, and raw sonic beauty.
Following the success of the lead single this day is ours, which features fellow post-rock visionary They Danced Like Programmed Angels, fight to keep from sinking expands on themes of perseverance and inner turmoil, drawing listeners into its immersive and deeply layered world. The single itself was met with glowing reviews, described by Obscure Sound as “a breathtaking, immersive composition” and by Plastic Mag as having a “melodic depth and striking sense of atmosphere.” Now, with the full album on the horizon, peejmudd unveils a broader narrative that is as melancholic as it is triumphant.
The tracklist alone reads like a poetic meditation on struggle and survival: staring at a brick wall, standing at the precipice, a moment before the fall, beneath the waves, broken body, broken mind—each title hints at an unspoken battle, a relentless effort to stay afloat against the tide. The album’s thematic heart lies in its ability to transform this turmoil into something achingly beautiful.
Sonically, fight to keep from sinking is a vast landscape of sound, layering delicate piano melodies with soaring guitar swells, intricate string arrangements, and carefully placed electronic textures. Tracks like essex (burning bright) and to break the sky conjure an expansive sense of movement, building tension with slow-burning crescendos before releasing in cathartic bursts of sound. Other compositions, such as the final ascent and a quickening pulse, lean into ambient minimalism, allowing space and silence to carry as much weight as the instrumentation itself.
What sets peejmudd apart from many of his post-rock contemporaries is his ability to balance grandeur with intimacy. Even in the album’s most cinematic moments, there remains a quiet vulnerability woven throughout. Distopic, an Italian music site, praised his work for its ability to “paint landscapes of sound that are both melancholic and uplifting, pulling the listener into a deeply emotional journey.” This duality is present in fight to keep from sinking, where hope flickers beneath the sorrow, and tension is met with moments of release.
The album also benefits from dynamic and expressive drumming, courtesy of Sasà De Seta, whose percussive energy gives tracks like tearing me apart and i remember nothing a heartbeat that pulses with urgency. The combination of organic instrumentation and electronic flourishes keeps the album fluid and unpredictable, ensuring that each listen unveils something new.
While fight to keep from sinking may feel deeply personal, its themes are universally resonant. It is an album about struggle, but not surrender—about the delicate dance between breaking and rebuilding. Last Day Deaf called it “a beautifully layered soundscape that lingers long after the final note,” and that sentiment couldn’t be more fitting.
For fans of artists like Sigur Rós, Ólafur Arnalds, and The Album Leaf, this album is a must-listen. It demands to be felt as much as it is heard, inviting listeners to close their eyes, lose themselves in its textures, and find meaning within its melodies.
With fight to keep from sinking, peejmudd delivers a poignant and unforgettable listening experience, proving once again that music—especially music without words—can speak to the soul in ways nothing else can.
