Jorge Natalin – De Zonnewende EP

Jorge Natalin’s De Zonnewende EP is a moving, tender tribute that feels like a sunbeam piercing through clouds, both spiritually charged and emotionally layered. Dedicated to Mazen al Hamada, the EP carries a message of hope and remembrance, echoing the press release’s sentiment: “May you be forever safe in the arms of the Lord now”. As a listener, you’re invited into a space of both mourning and quiet celebration, where personal grief and collective liberation meet.

The EP dives deep with “youareinthearmsoftheLordnow.”, a track that opens softly, almost like a prayer. Gentle guitar chords weave around the track, which carries a warm, comforting resonance. The mood is meditative, as if the artist is whispering solace into the listener’s ear. There’s something profoundly intimate in the delivery, every note feels intentional, every pause meaningful. This song sets the tone: we’re here to reflect, feel, and remember.

Shifting from quiet introspection, “a thousand white doves” brings a tone of uplift. The doves become a metaphor—symbols of peace, release, and transcendence. The instrumentation opens up, layers of strings or synth (depending on how you perceive them) flutter around the track. It’s cinematic in scope, evoking an image of souls released into the sky. Though the track’s length is just over three minutes, it carries an expansive, almost orchestral weight. It feels like a turning point on the EP, a statement that grief can turn into something beautiful and transcendent.

Nowhere does that expansiveness blossom more than in “Adenium obesum.” This nearly eight-minute centerpiece is where Jorge lets the emotions unfold fully. The title refers to a desert rose plant, resilient, rooted in harsh environments. Just like its namesake, the song grows through patience and stillness. It starts with a slow build, soft pulses, delicate fingerpicking and waits until you’re leaning in. When the richer textures arrive, perhaps a cello, a second guitar, a distant percussion, the effect is immersive. Time seems to stretch, and you feel both grounded and adrift. It’s a journey of acceptance, of coming to terms with loss yet finding beauty in that process. The long runtime is justified; it’s a place to breathe and feel without hurry.

There’s no rush; you’re encouraged to sit with the emotional weight. Though minimalist in arrangement, the music pulses with a quiet force, every silence speaks as loudly as the notes. It’s not just music; it’s a shared moment of remembrance and renewal.

One of the things that makes De Zonnewende so compelling is its capacity to feel both personal and universal. Yes, it’s a dedication to Mazen, but the themes of loss, hope, and rebirth will resonate with anyone who has held a loved one in their thoughts or longed for change. The sun’s turning points, solstice and equinox,mirror cycles in our lives: endings that hint at beginnings, darkness giving way to light.

In just four songs, Jorge Natalin has crafted an EP that feels like a small, hushed ceremony. It’s music that presses gently but insistently: feel, heal, and remember. For anyone seeking solace or a reflective soundscape to journey into, De Zonnewende is an invitation: to sit in stillness, let emotion flow, and hold space for both grief and the gentle promise of new light.

With its warm tones, heartfelt delivery, and emotional authenticity, De Zonnewende EP is a beautiful testament to loss and love intertwined. It’s a quiet triumph.