OUTER returns with the intimate new single ‘In Limbo’ (January 16th), released ahead of the anticipated upcoming album Glowing Mountains in the Sky, due February 13th via AWAL.
Building a reputation for cinematic, emotive soundscapes which bring a blend of muted, atmospheric electronics and neo-classical instrumentation, OUTER (the project of Belgian composer Tom Soetaert) has already seen his work supported on national radio and across music press.
The new single ‘In Limbo’ continues this approach. Written from a place of uncertainty before welcoming his first child into the world, the trek ebbs and flows through rich piano and strings as bubbling layers of reverb drenched choral vocals and muted electronics create a pillowy backdrop for his delicate and whispery vocals, evoking the likes of Sigur Rós and Ólafur Arnalds.
Talking about the single Tom (OUTER) explains: “In Limbo is probably the most personal track from the upcoming album. Written during the expectancy of a first child, it captures the euphoria but also fear and profound uncertainty of watching your identity shift while stepping into an unknown future. A contrast that is mirrored in the music and lyrics. Dreamy pianos, strings, and ethereal vocal lines melt into darker synths and beats. A play of light and shadow, reinforcing the album’s main themes.
The artwork is based on a polaroid portrait. The camera was broken, so my face is very blurry and almost disappearing. Exactly how I felt at the time writing the song.”
The upcoming album Glowing Mountains in the Sky showcases some of OUTER’s most expansive, emotionally impactful and musically mature work to date, realising his potential as both a composer and a songwriter on tracks which cross the boundary between contemporary classical and alternative-electronics.
Continuing to talk about the upcoming album: “The album was largely written in remote locations across Iceland, Norway, and the Czech Republic. In those places, I captured field recordings that became the foundation of the album’s textures.
The result is a cinematic blend of modern classical, chamber pop, and alternative rock, flirting with echoes of ambient and shoegaze. The compositions are dynamic and layered, with a strong focus on piano, texture, and atmosphere. Together, they evoke a melancholic landscape that mirrors the environments in which the music was written.
Thematically, the album explores dreams and memories — the beautiful ones, the difficult ones, and everything drifting in between. Memories you want to hold on to, but also wish you could forget. I deliberately searched for strong contrasts within these themes, which are reflected in the arrangements as well. Warm, organic, and classical sounds are placed against colder, harsher electronic textures. Intimate, minimalist moments gradually unfold into energetic climaxes.”
OUTER is the alter ego of composer Tom Soetaert, whose debut album was written in 2018 on a remote sheep farm in Bárðardalur, northern Iceland. Released on the Swedish piano label 1631 Recordings, the album received widespread acclaim, earning four-star reviews from national newspapers and blogs and airplay on influential platforms such as BBC Sounds, Studio Brussel, Radio 1 (BE), and KEXP. OUTER’s work quickly established a reputation for evocative, cinematic composition, blending emotional restraint with immersive atmospheres.
Between album releases, OUTER expanded their practice through soundtracks and reworks, collaborating with artists including Sohnarr, Illuminine, and Mabe Fratti. Notable projects include the film soundtrack Beraber, created with Fratti—an artist regularly featured by BBC 6 Music, Pitchfork, and The Guardian, and a collaborator on Blood Orange’s latest album. Their Sohnarr-rework was part of Netflix series ‘High Tides’. OUTER’s music has been highlighted on BBC Radio 3’s Piano Focus playlist, received airplay from Stephen McCauley and KEXP’s Alex Ruder, and has been performed live alongside acts such as These New Puritans. New work slated for release in 2026 promises to push OUTER’s distinctive fusion of contemporary classical, chamber pop, and ambient textures into new territory.
In Limbo will be available on all digital platforms from January 16th.
Band Members are:
Tom Paul Soetaert: piano, synths, vocals, electronics
Wanthanee Wadngam: vocals, violin
Arne De Tremerie: vocals
Nicolas Delépine: guitar, vocals
Laurens Van Bouwelen: drums
Upcoming Live Dates:
Album release shows (headline shows)
Feb 20th Cultuurcentrum de Velinx (Tongeren-Borgloon, BE)
Feb 27th Hnita Jazz Club (Heist-o-d-Berg, BE)
Feb 28th Campo theatre (Ghent – sold out, BE)
Mar 1st Campo theatre (Ghent – extra show, BE)
