"A Tune for Us" is the ambitious opening track of DjRUM's 2025 album Under Tangled Silence. Released on the Houndstooth label, it marks the return of Felix Manuel (DjRUM) with his first full-length project in six years12. The track is a striking showcase of DjRUM’s multi-instrumental talents and his signature blend of electronic, jazz, and classical sensibilities.
Musical Style & Composition
- Instrumentation: The piece features a lush combination of piano, cello (with arrangement contributions from Zosia Jagodzinska), and jazz-inflected drums.
- Structure: It departs from traditional dancefloor orientation, blending orchestral jazz textures with breakbeat flourishes and glitchy, IDM-inspired details.
- Rhythm: Notably, the rhythm operates in an unconventional time signature, with Manuel expressing interest in how listeners interpret its off-kilter phrasing.
- Evolution: The track opens with gentle, minimalist piano phrases, gradually integrating intricate jazz drumming, and later evolving into subtle jungle-influenced breaks.
Creative Context
- Collaboration: Zosia Jagodzinska, known for her cello work on DjRUM’s earlier albums, co-wrote and performed on "A Tune for Us".
- Album Vision: Under Tangled Silence reflects a creative rebirth for DjRUM, who rebuilt the album from scratch following a major hard-drive loss, leading to a more exposed and emotionally resonant musical identity.
- Influence: There are clear nods to electronic pioneers like Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, especially in the detailed, piano-driven approach and ambient-jazz interplay.
Track Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release Date | January 22, 2025 |
| Album | Under Tangled Silence |
| Track Length | 5:5389 |
| Label | Houndstooth47 |
| Composer/Producer | Felix Manuel (DjRUM)3 |
| Featured Musicians | Zosia Jagodzinska (cello) |
| Genre | Electronic, Jazz, IDM, Orchestral |
Reception & Impact
- The track has been praised for its emotional openness and detailed musicianship, standing out for its ability to merge live instrumentation with finely crafted electronics.
- Listeners have responded positively to the track’s chill, cinematic atmosphere and the top-tier arrangement quality.
- "A Tune for Us" sets the tone for an album noted for its seamless fusion of ambient, techno, and classical influences.
"A Tune for Us" highlights DjRUM’s renewed depth and blend of acoustic and electronic artistry, reaffirming his status as a boundary-pushing producer within the electronic and modern classical scenes56.
