“where we are”: Amistat’s resonating new album navigates through various stages of love.

Amistat’s latest EP “what we are” signals a quiet shift in music: it moves away from spectacle and instead leans into musical sincerity. This six-song release creates a breathing room, a zone where stillness and emotional clarity thrive. Composed of acoustic textures, it stands out with the natural and unadulterated intimacy of Jan and Josef Prasil’s harmonies. The twins, who cut their teeth in music by busking in the streets of Melbourne, pull from their experience of dividing their time across different continents and writing songs between Australia and Europe. Laden with experience whose outcome has led to this project, there’s a certain weight without actually being boresome. “what we are” is more like a deep dive rather than jumping into conclusions, molded by the uncertainty and the belief that endings can be heartwarming. Rather than spelling things out, the EP invites you to mull further and figure out the greater purpose of it all.

what we were

Like a forgotten letter penned many moons ago, “what we were” has something raw in how it reminisces. Rather than revisiting the past with a stinging regret, the song proposes acceptance. The lyrics acknowledge the dreadful task of letting go of past mistakes, and whether we are still the same after bearing such emotional burdens. The somber words find solace amongst twinkling guitar chords, creating a heartfelt ambiance.

hello

“hello” is a confessional tune: the vocalist is cautiously inquisitive for a second chance, curious to know if love can still happen after a heartbreak (“Are you still waiting out there/Can you forgive us now”). With a stripped-down instrumentation, the reflective verses give way to emphatic choruses, making this an impactful ballad. 

goodbye

Contrary to its antecedent, “goodbye” is about letting go. This short piece revolves around the aftermath of a relationship, and the pain of saying goodbyes; however, having struggled through the rough patch, the singer has found a renewed hope after experiencing the sadness and distress ("Every pain a stepping stone/Now I am learning how to love myself again”). 

stranger

Staying close to the core of this EP, “stranger” probes into moments of phantom familiarity with those who were once close but now aren’t. Not resulting from disagreements, but because life happened. There is a tenderness as this is expressed, with the arrangements remaining a steady accompaniment: the songwriting wants to dispel such notions of being complete and utter strangers, instead encouraging to become better and kinder human beings.

sweet heart

“sweet heart” is the most delicate part of this project– it embraces love in purest form, as the voices here are heartwarming and charming, minus any overwhelming sappiness. A mandolin melody is played gently along with the devoted lyrics, letting us know the love hasn’t withered away despite the changes. 

listen to the silence – stripped

Minimalistic and earnest in its inclinations, “listen to the silence – stripped” breaks down to the bare minimum, feeling the most vulnerable and fragile, yet wholesome. The chorus is inviting and ready to face the odds together so that love may prosper (“Come away with me… listen to the silence with me).

“what we are” covers the various stages of loving someone: each track has an authentic take, not embellishing emotions and using sparse instrumentation to allow enough space for the nuanced vocal performances to flourish. Amistat leaves a long-lasting impression, plenty capable of resonating deeply with their listeners.

Listen to "what we are" on Spotify, and stay tuned with Amistat on their Instagram.