MKSTN’S NEW LP CONTENT LAUNCHES WITH CINEMATIC SYNTHS, DREAMY GROOVES, AND EMOTIONAL GUT PUNCHES
MKSTN’s Content isn’t just an album—it’s a fully immersive experience. Blending lush synthwork, analog textures, and introspective songwriting, the Toronto-based producer and artist crafts a sonic landscape that’s as emotionally resonant as it is sonically adventurous. Drawing inspiration from Beach House, M83, Radiohead, and Tame Impala, MKSTN folds nostalgic sounds into a modern framework, creating music that feels at once dreamy and deeply grounded.
At its core, Content plays with duality—its very title teasing multiple meanings. Are we truly content, or are we just endlessly consuming content? Rooted in themes of curiosity, perception, and the overstimulation of the digital age, the album is a double entendre—exploring how we interpret meaning in a world dominated by Big Tech, sensationalized media, and short-form distraction. There’s more content than ever, but is any of it actually fulfilling?
A love letter to classic drum and bass with a modern, analog twist, the single “Adorn” sets the tone for the record’s sonic and thematic balance. Drums were recorded straight to tape with collaborators Chino De Villa (Jessie Reyez) and Braden Sauder (Luna Li), then transposed and chopped to create a rhythmic, sample-heavy groove that pulses beneath soaring synths and MKSTN’s introspective vocals. Even as the beat locks in, a single, lingering question echoes: Do you have the right stuff? It’s the kind of existential whisper that reverberates across the entire album.
“Sonically, this project is deeply personal to me,” MKSTN explains. “For the first time, I’m the primary vocalist from start to finish, stepping into a role I usually guide or curate for others.” His plaintive, ghostly voice glides across beds of omnichord, piano, and shimmering synths, while breaks and trip-hop–inspired beats keep the emotional weight grounded in motion. The album also features contributions from Madeleine Kay and Brendan Thomas (Strings From Paris), further enriching MKSTN’s intricately woven sound.
Building on the themes of love and connection explored in his 2022 release Desires, Content leans into the intersection of intimacy and overstimulation. It’s a record that challenges as much as it comforts—asking listeners to feel deeply, reflect inwardly, and question what it means to be truly satisfied.
Now, track by track, let’s step into MKSTN’s beautifully strange world:
“Content (Intro)” kicks off the LP with sweeping synths and a cinematic vibe that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Weeknd record. Glassy piano lines and velvet-smooth vocals set the tone for what feels like the beginning of something big. It’s the perfect prelude to an album that promises emotional depth and sonic polish. The final words—“I’ve been so wrong to you”—linger like a confession, hinting that this journey is as much about reckoning as it is about rhythm.
“Omni Eyes” crashes in with a full dose of MKSTN’s signature flavor. Whimsical synths swirl over a relentless drum groove, crafting a dreamy, candy-coated world that screams for lollipops, neon lights, and a cruise down Rainbow Road. Fans of Kevin Parker and the golden era of Tame Impala will eat this up—it’s soaked in early 2010s electro nostalgia in the best, glitter-drenched way. And if this track doesn’t land in a movie montage soon? We’ll be shocked... and mildly furious.
“Black Sands,” the third track on the album, opens with an absolutely stunning intro—soft, rain-soaked piano notes that feel like a quiet storm rolling in. Layered over a gorgeously crafted drum and bass groove, the track feels tailor-made for gray skies and introspective afternoons. Midway through, a flute—or something delightfully close to it—floats into the mix, and its arrival couldn’t be more perfect. MKSTN’s airy, reverb-drenched vocals pull the listener into a hypnotic swirl of sonic textures, wrapping everything in a dreamy, immersive glow.
“Adorn” wastes no time—MKSTN’s vocals come in right from the jump, instantly pulling the listener into his world. Within a few bars, a rapturous drum beat kicks in, launching the track into a dance-ready groove that’s as infectious as it is polished. It’s another track Kevin Parker would likely nod in approval at, with airy, effects-laden guitars that shimmer and swirl, adding layers of texture and movement. The whole thing feels effortlessly dynamic—equal parts dreamy and kinetic.
“So Long” lands at track five and starts at a crawl—but trust us, that’s the move. The slow burn builds tension until those signature drums kick in, and suddenly your feet are tapping... maybe even your whole damn body’s moving. Layered synths begin to stack, each adding a little more depth to the atmosphere, and we’re here for it. Around the halfway mark, a bold, magnetic bass line drops in, transforming the track and anchoring it with a pulsing heartbeat. It’s safe to say this one’s climbing to the top of our favorites list.
“Endlessly (Interlude)” is a stunning example of how combining diverse sonic textures can elevate a track beyond the sum of its parts. It begins with a delicate cascade of piano notes—gentle, emotive, and slightly haunting—soon enveloped by sweeping strings that give the piece a cinematic weight. The arrangement feels as if it were lifted straight from a Christopher Nolan film score, evoking a sense of grandeur and introspection all at once. As a midpoint on an already ambitious album, “Endlessly” serves as both a breather and a moment of reflection. It doesn't just fill space—it deepens the narrative arc, offering listeners a pause to soak in the emotional atmosphere before diving back into the album's larger soundscape. It's a graceful intermission and a testament to the band’s compositional range.
“The Calling” may be brief, but it packs a serious punch. It revs the tempo back up and brings MKSTN’s signature echo-laced vocals back into the spotlight with style. Dominant, shimmering synths pulse alongside a thunderous, driving drum beat, creating a bold and immersive atmosphere that feels like a full-on sonic rinse. It’s the kind of track that scrubs your brain clean—in the best way possible. From its tight production to the layered textures woven throughout, “The Calling” is a standout moment on the record. The flow is seamless, the details are rich, and every second feels intentional. It’s short, sure—but far from forgettable.
“When It’s Over” hits hard and haunts beautifully. It opens with a pulsing groove reminiscent of The Crystal Method before veering into MKSTN’s signature territory—muted drums, airy textures, and a hypnotic soundscape that builds with precision. There's even what sounds like a rainstick in the mix, and somehow, it works perfectly. As the track swells, it erupts into a wave of sonic chaos that’s as overwhelming as it is satisfying. It’s one of the most compelling moments on the album—dynamic, unexpected, and expertly crafted.
“Gem Stone Girl” floats in on a wave of airy synths and a gorgeous cascade of piano notes, setting a delicate tone right from the start. The opening lines—“Gemstone girl, why are you leaving me so fast? / Gemstone girl, your smile still lasts”—hit like a quiet gut punch, lingering long after they’re sung. Built almost entirely around piano and eloquent synths, the track trades intensity for intimacy, and it works beautifully. It gently winds the album down, offering a moment of reflection as the journey ends. It's the perfect emotional breather, bittersweet, tender, and hauntingly compelling.
“Content (Outro)” closes the album in just 35 seconds, but don’t let the brevity fool you—it’s the final breath of a beautifully constructed sonic journey. Acting like an airlock, it gently eases the listener out of MKSTN’s immersive world and prepares them for reentry into reality. But… what if we’re not ready to leave? What if we’d rather stay suspended in the dreamstate he’s crafted—entranced by the textures, the vibe, the hypnotic allure of Content? It’s a short goodbye, but one that lingers, making you want to hit album replay instead of moving on.
With Content, MKSTN doesn’t just deliver an album—he builds a world. From shimmering synths to shadowy bass lines, from cinematic interludes to pulse-quickening grooves, every track is meticulously crafted yet emotionally raw. There’s a sense of movement, personal reckoning, and dancing through heartbreak and into clarity. It’s an album that balances intimacy with ambition, offering moments to lose yourself and moments to feel completely seen. By the time the outro fades, you’re not just a listener—you’re a passenger reluctantly stepping off a beautifully strange ride. And odds are, you’ll want to dive right back in.