Daniel de Boer isn’t just making tunes; he’s orchestrating miniature global summits set to music.
“The Turnaround,” his EP, does not really feel like a collection of songs. Instead, it is more like a rack of postcards from faraway friends, all sent from a studio in Berlin.
Produced alongside Shakthi Prasad, this six-track offering pulls together musicians from an impressive roster of nations – Russia, Argentina, India, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Jordan, Brazil, Palestine, and the United States.
Not just a list, that is almost like a United Nations group on rhythm and tune. As a result? This is what de Boer calls “world pop,” which means acoustic bases liberally mixed with electronic spices and sounds gathered from all over the world.
The EP kicks off with ‘Keep You Close‘. It starts gently, almost shyly, like sunlight filtering through a dusty windowpane. De Boer’s voice floats in, treated with a subtle effect that makes it feel both present and slightly out of reach, a voice calling through morning fog.
Pablo Marino‘s guitar playing flows through, with Oene van Geel‘s viola and trombone adding their own unique sounds. Lourdes Trujillo’s backing singing add more layers. It makes you feel thoughtful, maybe a little sad, but also warm.
‘No Longer Belong Here‘ then changes gears with a calm confidence. And Ahmad Aljarrah on percussion and Tim Breel on drums play a groove that makes you want to move, like an easy-going strut.
Pablo Marino returns on guitar, and Vitor Carvalho’s saxophone adds splashes of color, particularly during a solo that feels like a spontaneous burst of optimism.
The way De Boer sings this makes it sound like he is at ease, and the track feels friendly, like a talk with an old friend who is also good at music.
“Going Down” goes in a different direction. In this case, Christian Dias plays the guitar, with Isaac Wisdom on piano and Shaden Nahra on violin.
The mix makes the mood a little different, maybe a little more reflective. Lourdes Trujillo comes back, and her backing vocals give de Boer’s lead more depth.
It sounds like the notes on this track are telling a story, but the exact plot is still enigmatic, like remembering bits and pieces of a dream.
The title track, ‘The Turnaround’, centers around a distinctive guitar line from Bruno Fidelis and Tim Breel’s steady drumming. De Boer addresses the listener directly here, creating a sense of immediate connection.
It feels like a pivotal moment, a conversation happening right now, underscored by a beat that keeps things grounded while the lyrics explore change or perspective shifts. It’s the kind of song that makes you lean in a little closer.
‘The Way’ is perhaps the clearest example of the EP’s cross-cultural pollination. De Boer himself plays guitar alongside his usual bass and vocal duties, but the spotlight shines brightly on Indian guitarist Varun Raj.
His playing, described as Indian-influenced accompaniment, adds an intricate layer throughout, culminating in a prog-inspired solo that detours delightfully from the expected acoustic pop structure.
It’s a moment where the ‘world’ element in ‘world pop’ feels particularly vibrant and specific, a successful melding of different musical vocabularies.
Closing the EP is ‘Beside Me’. This track features Pablo Marino on guitar again, and Oene van Geel returns with viola and trombone. A notable guest is Marcelo Woloski of Snarky Puppy fame, whose percussion adds a sophisticated rhythmic underpinning.
Nadezhda Chebotareva provides backing vocals. There’s an uplifting quality to this song, a sense of finding stability or companionship. It’s also the track accompanied by a music video directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Bordonaro, suggesting a visual dimension to its story. It feels like a fitting conclusion, a resolution of sorts after the varied emotional terrain of the preceding tracks.
Listening to ‘The Turnaround’ is like flipping through a well-worn passport. Each stamp represents a different collaboration, a different sonic flavor brought into the fold by musicians scattered across the map.
De Boer acts as the curator, the constant presence tying these diverse threads together with his bass, his voice, and his songwriting. The EP doesn’t just present songs; it presents connections made audible.
It makes you think about how music travels, how ideas bounce between continents, sometimes arriving perfectly formed, other times slightly warped by the journey, like a radio signal fading in and out. It’s acoustic pop, yes, but viewed through a kaleidoscope.
So, what is ‘The Turnaround’? It’s a reminder that collaboration can create something richer than the sum of its parts. It’s a quiet statement about connection in a fragmented time.
It’s Daniel de Boer, with a little help from his friends (from everywhere), offering a musical perspective that’s both personal and decidedly global. Give it a listen; you might find your own perspective subtly shifted.
