LUWTEN

Dutch singer/songwriter Tessa Douwstra, going by the solo moniker Luwten, makes airy, delicately arranged pop songs with simple yet intricately constructed lyrics. Her distinctive sound threads electronic textures and field recordings together with acoustic instrumentation, for a spacious yet organic feel.
Douwstra previously made acoustic folk-rock as leader of the group Orlando and as a member of the collective Wooden Saints, additionally contributing to albums by indie artists such as Blaudzun and the Leonids. She began performing as Luwten in 2016, and opened for Eefje de Visser on her European tour. Luwten’s self-titled debut full-length appeared in 2017, with the sly, alluring “Go Honey” attracting the most attention. “In Over My Head II,” a re-recording of one of the album’s highlights with a fuller arrangement, appeared in 2019. Luwten made guest appearances on releases by De Staat, Klangstof, and San Holo, then returned with a more beat-driven EP titled Door in 2020. ~ Paul Simpson