Mazmere reflects on memory and absence with the poignant EP ‘David’

There is a quiet sense of purpose running through Mazmere’s latest release. Built around the title-track ‘David’, these songs are united by a shared emotional thread, exploring grief, remembrance and the enduring influence of people whose presence continues to shape our lives long after they are gone.

The project, created by Peak District-based artist Jake Sinetos, feels deeply personal without becoming inaccessible. While its origins are rooted in the loss of family and close collaborators, the songs speak to experiences that are widely recognisable, finding common ground in reflection rather than dramatic expression.

At the centre is ‘David’, a song that carries the weight of careful consideration. Having evolved over several years, it possesses the patience of a composition that has been allowed to find its natural form rather than being hurried towards completion. And that measured approach is reflected throughout the arrangement, where every musical decision appears carefully placed in service of the song itself.

The production from H.A. Eugene also provides an understated framework that allows the emotion to develop organically. Delicate contributions from Amyas Varcoe on acoustic guitar and bass, alongside subtle electric guitar work from Ian Evans, enrich the recording without ever drawing attention away from its central message.

Mazmere’s broader musical identity remains equally distinctive. Drawing on post-punk, ambient textures and cinematic sound design, he creates soundscapes that feel suspended somewhere between memory and observation.

‘I Can’t Hear You’ continues that reflective mood, offering another understated offering that feels intentionally open-ended. Its evolving structure mirrors the uncertainty often associated with memory itself, allowing us to interpret its emotional landscape without prescribing a definitive meaning.

The inclusion of ‘Run (Live)’ also carries particular significance. Featuring drummer Rob James, who passed away earlier this year, the performance serves as both a musical statement and a lasting document of collaboration. Its live setting preserves the immediacy of the moment, capturing not only the performance itself but also the connection between the musicians.

The release concludes with an inventive reinterpretation of ‘David’ by Business 80. Here, they reconstruct it into a more abstract and dreamlike piece while preserving its emotional core. The transformation offers an interesting alternative perspective on the material, demonstrating how the same song can communicate through entirely different sonic language.

With this new collection, Jake Sinetos has created a release that values sincerity, patience and emotional honesty above immediacy. It's a quietly affecting body of work that offers a considered meditation on memory and the lasting connections that continue to shape us even in absence.