Some music looks forward, while some looks backward. ‘Tapio’, the latest single from Amsterdam-based artist Van Sur Les, stands at the intersection of both directions, weaving ancient vocal traditions into a contemporary electronic landscape that feels deeply personal and quietly profound.
Created by musician and producer Dmitry Surugin, the track serves as the opening chapter of a larger project exploring cultural memory and identity. But even standing alone, ‘Tapio’ carries a remarkable emotional gravity.
Central to the track’s emotional core is the voice of Finnish vocalist Emmi Kuittinen, whose performance draws from traditional Finno-Ugric singing practices. Her delivery feels clear, expressive, and grounded in centuries-old storytelling, allowing the voice to guide the entire composition, shaping the pacing and emotional tone of the piece.
The instrumental framework surrounding the voice feels organic despite its electronic foundation. Gentle piano figures repeat like fragments of memory, gradually dissolving into atmospheric textures and subtle rhythmic pulses. The music moves slowly and deliberately, creating a sense of space that allows every detail to breathe.
One of the most compelling elements of ‘Tapio’ is its relationship with nature. Many of the track’s percussive elements originate from field recordings gathered in woodland environments. These sounds are transformed into rhythmic components that feel both natural and hypnotic, blurring the line between landscape and instrument.
The result is a piece that seems to exist somewhere between forest and club culture. It carries a pulse that could easily translate to a dancefloor, yet its emotional depth encourages a more reflective listening experience. The music unfolds patiently, like a story being remembered rather than told.
With ‘Tapio’, Van Sur Les demonstrates how electronic music can carry history without losing its contemporary momentum. It’s a delicate, immersive piece that transforms cultural memory into something vibrantly alive in the present.