Album Review: Cuezy. Creates an Immersive Experience with DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA

What makes albums so special, aside from their gift for telling a more depth-rich story than a single, is that in a time when our attention is constantly under siege, they invite us to slow down and sink into a truly immersive experience. This is the case of Cuezy.'s brand new album DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA and I couldn't wait to tell you more about it.

Hailing from Stuttgart, Cuezy. is someone who has been on my radar for a while, but it was his conceptual work DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA that made me realize I missed on a lot by not featuring his art before.

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The album spans across 16 tracks, which I would personally describe as synthwave future beats with a surprise twist. Blending hip hop beats, bass, house, electronic music and tons of tastefully picked samples, DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA is a well-designed cinematic universe and a treat for any music lover out there. I urge you to listen to the album in its entirety and dedicate it its well-deserved 45 minutes of attention. Give the record your time, and it will give you back something unforgettable - an experience that stays with you.

While the term utopia isn't necessary futuristic in today's society, I've always felt this futuristic undertone in all of my associations of the term. The imagined perfect society which Thomas More speaks about in his 1516 book with the same title has a very specific modern portrayal. Whether that's art, movies or music, it does always feel like something distant. Something in the future. I guess that's what Nicolas uses as inspiration for album's opening track "PLUGGED IN". The title, the synth-rich opening sounds and the robotic sound sets the premise of what's going to happen in the next 45 minutes. "Welcome. Thank you for entering our hyper-realistic simulation. Your consciousness has been successfully integrated. Please remain calm as your surroundings fully synchronize. Enjoy.", followed by ambient jazz sounds and echoing vocals that add a unique sense of relaxation. The very first time I played the album and heard this intro I felt so relaxed and thought to myself - OK, I'm in. I'll play the game.

Spanning 16 tracks, the album draws you into this fascinating world created by Cuezy. A trip that moves through tension, release, and transformation, which is only felt if you listen to the album in its fullness. Every song feels like a chapter in that story, stitched together through swirling psychedelia, soulful melodies, and crisp, hard-hitting beats that guide you toward something deeper.

I find it fascinating how the album channels the sounds that defined the golden age of SoundCloud. On one hand, there’s the synth-heavy nostalgia of the early 2010s - something that instantly brings to mind Com Truise’s Galactic Melt (2012). On the other, you can feel the pulse of the Soulection era — those 2014–2016 future beats with their hard-hitting 808s and lush, dreamy textures. As soon as "SIMULACRUM" started playing, it triggered memories of playing Sango in my Berlin flat and bouncing all around with this endless energy.

I find it funny because as you start to build and collect these experiences with the album, it is track 3 that starts with the eerie "Memory purge initiaited. Previously experiences erased. Past identity irrelevant. There is nothing holding you back." I have to say this caught me off guard, but it was a great way to remind you - this is all a simulation. Titled "INTRO/LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND", the song alongside "POLARITIES" are true masterpieces of the alt r&b real and if you love Frank Ocean, you'll fall in love.

DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA ebbs and flows in a very fascinating way and soon enough you'll find yourself completely detached from the everyday life. Just like any journey to unknown destination, it is packed with surprised. Remember that twist I mentioned earlier? "ALCHEMY OF SELF" and "MIDNIGHT GOSPEL" are two main reasons for what I said. Both are injected with a lot of soul and positive nuance. A breath of fresh air and a reason to stop and reflect on the beauty of music.

Speaking about the album wouldn't be complete without mentioning the artwork depicting Cuezy.'s vision of the (utopian future). Strangerly unsettling, and yet alluring. I want to mention that the album is available on vinyl and I feel it would be an asset to any collection (definitely mine).

It might sound strange, but the outro of DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA, “PAIN LEAVES WHEN IT’S DONE TEACHING YOU,” feels like the most impactful track for me. There’s something deeply grounding about its message. Even though I try to see life through the most positive lens possible, this track reminds me of the beauty in contrast - that without pain, there’s no real understanding of happiness. I love song's warmth and chord progression and the choir-like vocals that feel so comforting.

More than just an album, DEPARTURE TO UTOPIA is an invitation to step beyond the ordinary and immerse yourself in a world built entirely from sound. I hope you enjoyed the simulation and you'll come back to it again.