Our appetite for flowing lofi recordings can never be satisfied. There’s something so deliciously moreish about the intimate snapshot that these kind of tracks provide, like Bruno Major’s A Song For Every Moon project or Zola Courtney’s ‘Air In B Major’. This time our need for jazzy songwriting is being met by Marie Dahlstrøm with new release ‘A Loveletter - An Improvisation’. The London-based artist moves in the same circles as Tom Misch and Alfa Mist, her beat-laden blues, jazz and soul leaning style being evidence of their similarity. This track is heavy on the classic R&B front, creating an atmosphere heavy in longing, lust and love. This emotional context wasn’t a carefully constructed studio moment, but one that came from a genuine moment of feeling. Reflecting on the writing process behind the song, Dahlstrøm reminisces: “My boyfriend was away, in LA actually, when I wrote it, and I remember missing him. That day I had a session with Conor [Albert] – and I started the little piano theme on my keyboard, and Conor then began building the instrumental around it. After he left, I just turned on the mic, and sang whatever came to mind – no prewritten lyrics or melodies – which is why I called it A Loveletter – An Improvisation. It was just a raw reflection upon my love for someone. I feel that emotion informs melody. I like the idea that someone should be able to feel what a song is about, without listening to the words. For me, melody always come before words, and words often write themselves, on the right days. That’s my cue that I’ve made a good song. It feels easy and purposeful.” A good song it is indeed, and one that points the way towards Marie Dahlstrøm’s debut album, coming next year. - Hannah Thacker