Klime Kovaceski, the Macedonian-American songwriter and producer behind Kovaceski Music, came back once again this year with a brand-new record, Traces.

The international music project Kovaceski Music has been known for including a lot of different talented artists from predominantly Macedonia, but also collaborating with other parts of the world, blending different cultures and influences into one. In terms of the size of this musical project, it is truly tremendous. It has certainly been a while since Klime’s most recent project, Revival, but after a bit of a wait since Klime’s announcement of the official release of his new album Traces, the stages have taken a different spotlight.

Despite delving into a quite new and artsy atmosphere with cover art developed by Macedonian painter Nikola Pijanmanov, you are getting a new Klime Kovaceski record that usually follows previous traditions and gives a great callback to the roots. The painter states this about the cover: “The traces left by Klime’s restless musical spirit stem from the wellsprings of his youth and childhood. They are not relics of the past but echoes from the memory of the future—residing in realms of human consciousness where a parallel life unfolds, as real as the world we inhabit. Though traces may fade with time, they remain indelible, unrepeatable, and eternal codes of his being.”

Additionally, Kovaceski continues the tradition of previous albums with voiceovers in multiple languages, including Macedonian, English, French, Hebrew, Albanian, and Spanish. This unique approach is certainly a hallmark of Kovaceski’s work. Traces notably features the spoken word performances by renowned Macedonian actress Dragana Levenska, particularly on tracks like “Unconquered (Macedonian Version),” “Traces,” and “Wounds.”

So, we certainly see a lot of decisions on this record; let’s take a look at how all of them have played out.

Traces is a new album by Klime Kovaceski that is extremely cinematic and gets into your mind and soul from the first seconds. Klime blends the different aesthetics of music styles combining both Eastern and Western influences that highlight the singularity of its sound. With the incredible instrumentals that are provided throughout the tracks, Kovaceski creates this natural and slightly raw atmosphere that gives you the feel of ethereal, prestigious music. With its rich-sounding soundscape that is filled with a lot of post-90s and post-2000s atmosphere, Klime achieves a sense of euphony.

As I have listened to the record, here is the general idea and the concept that I have formed while listening to Traces. This journey symbolizes unexplored paths, combining a blend of alternative and orchestral music. Klime aims to achieve the most genre-blending sensation that adds fascination to the unique spark of the record, such as the blend of languages and genres throughout the album.

From the first seconds, you are immersed in Klime’s realm of realness and organic sound. Whether it is a classic and stunning instrument like the violin that is bolstered by epic guitars or drums, there is a tangible sense of depth and intricacy. Klime shares that he had a long dream of creating an album where spoken words take center stage, set to music rather than sung. Finally, we see his vision in the flesh, which may not always be flawless or ideal, but it certainly speaks the language of a particular audience.

The spoken word elements of the album are incorporated in such a seamless manner that they feel as if they take center stage in the record. These voiceovers aid in creating a rich, aesthetic, and prestigious atmosphere that echoes memories of the past and evokes a particular range of emotions within you, from sadness to hope.

With Kovaceski going again for his multilingual approach, I would say it adds another layer to the already complex picture. This incorporation serves as cultural enrichment or as an addition that enhances the album experience internationally, continuing the flow of the album and strengthening its overall impact. I personally favor the interpretation of “Nicolas” in French and “Wounds” in Macedonian by Levenska the most. I really like Dragana Levenska’s touch on the voiceover it particularly adds a mysterious spark to the track.

Quite simply, this record is a great sonic adventure that has a rich sound and speaks the language of a particular niche that follows the alternative genre and culture blending. The cinematic and orchestral elements are striking and memorable. With clear moments of brilliance, I truly admire the record’s immersion in this raw, cinematic, and dark-with-shades-of-light atmosphere.

Score/Excellent: Overall, I would say that Traces has its incredible highlights, such as the immersion and the incredible artistic vision of the sound. This record uses its particular language to reach a specific audience, recognizing its multi-layered complexity.

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Hear the album now at https://kovaceskimusic.com/music-traces-2024.html.

About Kovaceski Music

Kovaceski Music is an international music project started by Klime Kovaceski that showcases artists’ innate, raw talent while striking unique collaborations and partnerships.