On their third full-length release, The Vacant Stars Of Wandering Souls, 23 Fields step confidently into a richer, more expansive sonic landscape. With heightened production values and a subtle but significant shift in direction—most notably the increased use of electric guitar—this album feels like both an evolution and a homecoming. At its core, The Vacant Stars Of Wandering Souls is a deeply personal reflection. Step, the creative force behind 23 Fields, turns inward while keeping one eye on the world around him. The songs examine his own life and the lives intertwined with it, exploring isolation, memory, and the quiet yearning for connection in a world that often feels vast and indifferent. It’s an album shaped by drift—emotional, spiritual, and existential—but never by defeat.
Musically, 23 Fields continue to refine their blend of folk, rock, and Americana, wrapping introspective lyricism in textured indie instrumentation. The production emphasizes atmosphere and space, allowing arrangements to breathe. Layers unfold patiently: shimmering electric lines weave through acoustic foundations, percussion pulses gently rather than insists, and melodies rise with a comforting familiarity. On “Afrika Nitarudi,” Step even sets his guitar aside, signaling a willingness to experiment and let the song dictate its own shape—a small but telling act of artistic growth. The emotional weight here is undeniable. Step’s lyrics paint vivid portraits of the human experience—life’s missed chances, enduring loves, fleeting moments, and the slow passage of time. Yet despite the album’s contemplative tone, it never feels heavy-handed. Instead, it offers solace. There’s a warmth in these songs, like reconnecting with an old friend who understands your silences as much as your words.
The album’s greatest strength lies in its cohesion. Each track contributes to a broader narrative arc, making this a record best experienced in full. It’s cinematic in scope yet intimate in delivery—music for late-night drives, long solitary walks, and those rare moments when clarity arrives unannounced. With The Vacant Stars Of Wandering Souls, 23 Fields prove that reinvention doesn’t require abandoning your roots—it simply means deepening them. The album stands as a testament to resilience, renewed creative fire, and the enduring power of honest songwriting. In an era of fleeting singles and fragmented listening, 23 Fields invite us to slow down, listen closely, and find ourselves among the wandering stars.
English