It’s been a while since writing about Kepa Lehtinen, maybe back in 2022 or something close to that, so yeah, it actually really good to have him back again. And honestly, this new album, “Music From The Poison Garden”, is a strong and very welcome return.
The album comes with 7 tracks, and right from the start, it does something interesting. The first three tracks: “Poison Garden, Pt. 1”, “Pt. 2”, and “Pt. 3”, are not just separate tracks, they feel connected, like one long idea split into pieces. It’s calm, soft, and kind of takes you slowly into the world of the album. The piano is very gentle here, nothing too complex, but it says a lot. And yeah, there’s the theremin… which I didn’t expect at all. I haven’t heard that instrument in a long time and hearing it again like this was honestly a highlight. It gives a strange but beautiful feeling to the sound.
Then you get to “It Gets Dark”, and the mood shifts a bit. Still soft, still simple, but there’s something haunting behind it. The piano really carries this track, and it shows how Kepa can do a lot with very little. That’s kind of his thing, simple music but full of emotion.
“Funeral Flowers” caught my attention the most, no question. I kept going back to it again and again, just to catch small moments in the piano. There’s something about it that sticks with you. It doesn’t try too hard and maybe that’s why it works so well.
“Under The Soil” is steady and quiet, but there’s a deeper layer in the sound design. It’s not loud or dramatic, but if you listen closely, there’s a lot going on underneath. That’s something this album does really well overall.
And then the last track, “A Walk Through The Poison Garden”. This one really feels like a walk, like the title says. You can almost picture it while listening. The sound, the emotion, the pacing, everything just fits together. The bass is stronger here, the piano is still beautiful and all the instrumentation is carefully placed. It’s a perfect closer, honestly.
What stands out the most in this album is how simple it is, but also how deep it sounds and feels. Kepa doesn’t try to fill every space with sound. He lets the music breathe, and that’s not something you hear every day. The theremin, the piano, even the textures from electronic instruments, they all add something without making things messy.
You can really tell he puts care into every tone and every melody. It’s also kind of rare to hear an artist like this now. Someone who sticks to their sound, keeps it minimal, but still creates something powerful and emotional. There’s a lot of skill here, but it doesn’t feel like he’s trying to show off. It’s just him and his passion.
We spent a good time with this album, and it’s one of those releases that stays with you after it ends. We’d really like to hear what you think about it too. Leave a comment below and make sure to follow Kepa Lehtinen on social media.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Kepa Lehtinen is a 55-year-old musician from Finland who has built a global following with his unique style of contemporary composition. His use of the theremin, a touchless, gesture-articulated electronic instrument, sets him apart from almost everyone. Lehtinen lets his theremin add strange harmonies and counterpoints to his pieces that make them otherworldly. He has studied sound design at Aalto University, made music for film and television, and owns a recording studio. He’s a husband, father, and dedicated skateboarder who feels that music is the only true magic in the world. He’s grateful and amazed that people all over the planet listen to his music.
