Scarlet Mill - Sad Affair

​Scarlet Mill

Sad Affair
self-released; 2025

By Dan Weston

Scarlet Mill, the Amsterdam-based duo of Jennifer Moesker and Erik Verhoef, has always leaned into mood and atmosphere with a kind of theatrical confidence that sets them apart. Their latest single “Sad Affair” pulls me into their shadowy world, full of dimly lit rooms, unresolved tension, and that sense of something left unsaid. With longtime collaborator Maarten Verhoef adding saxophone, the band continues to refine their sound, part noir lounge, part glam-inflected synth pop, with a precision that feels both stylish and deeply personal.

From the opening notes, “Sad Affair” unfolds like a late-night confession. The tone is unmistakably cinematic. I could practically smell cigarette smoke and hear the hum of a neon sign outside the window. What struck me most was the slight hint of spaghetti western twang, a flicker of Ennio Morricone that gives the track a dusty tension.  It felt like something that could slip into a Quentin Tarantino film without missing a beat. The guitars are restrained but expressive, and I appreciated how the arrangement allowed each instrument to breathe. Nothing feels crowded. Every note seems placed with intention and care.

Jennifer Moesker’s vocals carry the weight of quiet resolve. There is no pleading and no dramatic swell. Just the calm of someone who has already lived through the unraveling. The chorus turns inward rather than reaching for catharsis, and that makes it more impactful. It echoes the kind of grief that does not ask to be seen but still shapes everything.

Scarlet Mill is not trying to impress with sheer volume or elaborate hooks. Instead, they offer something more elusive and affecting. “Sad Affair” moves with patience and clarity, building a mood that feels intimate without losing its mystery. This is a band that understands the power of suggestion, and they use it to remarkable effect. I left the song thinking not just about its melodies but about the silences that frame them.

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