De Toegift - alsof + ii (Double digital single)
While the single liefde is lang celebrates love, alsof stems from the doubt and denial that can arise in love. Maxim Ventulé (frontman) and Tom Gudde (guitarist and co-writer of alsof) play with truths, lies, and everything in between in the song. The result is a lyric that is not so much about love, but about living in denial.
Tom Gudde explains: “I was looking for a way to describe a gut feeling. Does this path I'm walking with someone lead me to happiness or pain and sorrow? The song goes thematically beyond being in love, describing more of the modern psyche. I think we are increasingly living in denial of survival and mentally distancing ourselves. It makes life more bearable.”
Behind Maxim's poetic vocals in alsof, ethereal backing vocals and enchanting strings can be heard, seamlessly transitioning into the instrumental and thematic ii. The two singles are a fusion of the bombast of liefde is lang with the electronic influences of Odysseus.
The cover art is a work born from a collaboration between visual artist Marijn van Kreij and Maxim Ventulé. Together, they created a series of collages and drawings that, in their own way, try to capture the renewed sound world of De Toegift.
The full album kleine auto, grote hot wheel will be available on Viny, CD, and streaming on February 7, 2025.