Sluka – “Saving It All” [Song Review]

Sluka, the musical project of singer-songwriter, composer, and label boss Christopher Sluka, recently released their new single/music video, “Saving It All,” the first single from Sluka’s upcoming album, Cautionary Yell.

Inspired by Georges Méliés’ 1902 sci-fi film, A Trip to The Moon, and Jules Verne’s novel, From the Earth to the Moon, “Saving It All” narrates looking down at the planet Earth from outer space, utilizing a wonderfully evocative video comprising a gorgeous montage of visuals.

Unlike most music artists, Christopher doesn’t sit down and work on new material. He states that full songs – arrangement, structure, and lyrics – appear in his head while out running, followed by creating a demo in his home studio.

Musicians on the track include Anna Eppink (bass), Michael Bedard (drums), Christopher Sluka (vocals, piano, synths, video editing), Nico Hueso (violin, viola), and Erdis Maxhelaku (cello).

In 2021, Sluka released their 13th album, Figure It Out. Vastly popular in Japan and Europe, the band’s sound ranges across alt-rock, prog-rock, and orchestral rock. With millions of streams, Sluka’s previous celebrated singles include “Christmas Tamales,” “Shout Out,” and “Happy In Your World.”

“Saving It All” opens on graceful, gleaming textures flowing into a lush, dreamy melody rife with watercolor washes, floating and swaying atop a syncopated rhythm. Sluka’s delicious, reedy-lite vocals imbue the lyrics with tender warmth, oozing a sense of possibility for us and the world we live in despite all the difficulties.

Sluka, photo by Taylor Scalise

Decked out in emotions of awe, appreciation, and hope, “Saving It All” conveys persuasive sensations of achieving the unattainable.

Run Time: 3:14
Release Date: January 16, 2024
Record Label: Independent