Chicago-based artist Astrachan has today shared his thoughtful new single, “Picture of Doubt.” The track unfurls with a hazy, disoriented atmosphere, its lyrics navigating a profound sense of uncertainty. Recorded on a Tascam 388, the tangible warmth of ¼-inch tape lends the song a punchy, vintage character, creating a groove that feels both immediate and timeless.
Astrachan, the solo moniker of multi-instrumentalist Ben Astrachan, explains, “We often ask when the world will end or begin, but for the vast majority of people on this planet, the world as they knew it has already ended, or never even began. Through colonization, climate collapse, displacement, and systemic violence, many communities are already living in a kind of aftermath. This project challenges the idea of a singular apocalypse and instead centers those who have long been surviving and creating within the ruins.“
The accompanying video was directed by Robert Salazar.
Known for his starry-eyed lofi folk-rock, the tireless collaborator and co-founder of Berta Bigtoe crafts his sound in his candlelit Chicago basement. For anyone new to Astrachan, “Picture of Doubt” is a compelling introduction to this self-taught analog tapehead.
