Toly Sawenko - Cosmic Radio

​Toly Sawenko

​Cosmic Radio
self-released; 2019

​3.5 out of 5

By Dan Weson

Toly Sawenko is an artist from Australia who recently released Cosmic Radio. The album is electic to a point I can’t categorize the music so let's start from the beginning.

​The album starts with “Extraordinary Times” which is an extremely lo-fi song. It’s a straightforward rock song. It felt like an odd song to start with because for the most part the album revolves on much more mellow songs with a lot of strings and atmosphere.

He then switches to an upbeat and joyful jazz song entitled “Amatuer Love.” He sounds more at home here than the rock.

“Table For One” was a highlight. There are orchestral strings and an accordion. It reminded me of being in France and being in an outside cafe. He has more success with “It Must Be Good” where he goes melancholy and pensive. Sawenko’s voice sounds good when he stays within a comfortable range.

He then goes super upbeat with the poppy “Starting Out Again” and then orchestral again with “All I Can Care About Is You” and even cosmic with “Lost In Eternity.” Up next is the much more hopeful “Beautiful Today.” Sawenko questions the hard times on “Sweet Sadness.” “Hold Me Darling Please” sounded like it could have been a play about vampires.

“Good Luck, Good Day, Good-bye” felt like a highlight and perhaps the centerpiece of the album. Up next is “Marianne” which felt silly and frivolous. He closes with “Have You Heard The News Today” which is a slow moving song revolving around organ and vocals.

Cosmic Radio really felt like listening to a different radio station with every song. This fact makes it very hard to align this artist with any type of signature sound. I think the slower orchestral music is where he shines and should stick to in the future. That being said, people will have different opinions being the music is so diverse. Take a listen.

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