Safe Places, Pt. 1

In a world where violence cloaks itself in speed, hyper-individualism parades as strength, and the superficial is endlessly magnified, Safe Places, Pt. 1 embraces quiet defiance. This is not music for quick consumption but a relationship—unfolding with each listen, revealing new textures and hidden specters over time. Two years in the making, Safe Places, Pt. 1 is a slow-simmered sonic tapestry, featuring twenty-four acts from across Europe and the UK. This release is a collision of minds, geographies, and imaginations that defy easy categorisation. Some tracks are born from singular, unrepeatable encounters—spontaneous collaborations that resist replication. It stands as a testament to a slow-curated process, where unpredictability and communal creativity reign. Gritty blends of electronic dirt pop and deconstructed soundscapes, where rhythmic lurches and fragile melodies intertwine in unexpected ways / Vocals dissolve language, and pop elements are warped by loop pedals, creating a unique sonic experience that disorients and captivates / The tracks embody a raw, near-ugly beauty, teetering on the edge of collapse yet unified by a confident melancholic undertone. At its heart is Natasja Mabesoone’s Leaky Vessel, a white UV print on the cassette case, drawn from Anne Carson’s The Gender of Sound. “The girl with no door on her mouth” defies patriarchal efforts to silence women—an ancient belief that women’s two mouths (speech and sexuality) must be locked away. Mabesoone’s raw lines channel sirens and Ursula, letting words, paint, or protest spill forth and challenge constraints on the minoritised voice. Much like these soundscapes, her imagery elevates the overlooked, recasting it as powerful and transformative. Through her art, Mabesoone invites us to reconsider the boundaries between personal and political, ephemeral and enduring. This double cassette release embodies Swallowing Helmets’ philosophy of music as a vessel for discovery, dialogue, and risk. Safe Places, Pt. 1 favours slow, deep engagement over instant gratification—embracing the leaky, unpredictable paths where things seep, spill, and transform. We are deeply grateful to all the artists for placing their trust in us and for their incredible patience throughout this journey. A heartfelt thank you to Natasja Mabesoone for contributing her powerful artwork, which encapsulates the spirit of this release.