We Do Not Forget is an 8-track project crafted by the Leeds-based experimental production collective Fold. Led by frontman Seth Mowshowitz, the project explores themes surrounding humanity, war,  and calling out the capitalistic systems that aim to silence the voices of the masses. The project covers a wide range of genres as it fuses experimental funk/soul, trip-hop with a dash of dark pop.

From the jump, listeners are thrown into the mix with the dynamic production. The individual tracks carry their weight and offer audiences variety in terms of style. The “first track “We Do Not Forget ” has a bluesy ambiance while “To Be Hated and Thus Corrected ” runs with a lofi-pop aesthetic that evokes nostalgia and solemnity. “Forever War”  blends dark pop textures with downtempo rock rhythms and emotive guitar riffs underpinned by poignant vocal samples that touch on the effects of war and the military-industrial complex profiting from the death of innocent folks. In “The Painful Truth,”  the collective explores the meaning of truth in this modern day where everything is embellished or disfigured to suit underhanded narratives. As the title suggests, truth is painful but a much-needed remedy to bring on positive change. The vocals touch on the theme with a profound look at how the truth is treated

“Dissident speech

The painful truth

That will to silence is growing

But I see the hope

People are really hungry

For truth”

This is followed by the previously released “Dark Matters ” featuring UK poet/radio presenter Mr Gee who gives audiences a glimpse into what humanity feels like if we all come together under a unifying lens.  The production here has. a trip-hop vibe with a dose of boom-bap rhythm that matches Mr. Gee’s laidback but commanding flow.

Watch  “Dark Matters “ below

“Sustain”  has a bright guitar arrangement with anthemic horn-driven rhythms that sound like the backdrop for a carnival while the lyrics paint a glowing picture of the essence of love if allowed to blossom. Lines like

“Communities sustain life

Not nuclear families

Not the couple

And certainly not

The rugged individualist”

bring the message home with their straight-to-the-point approach. The project closes with “Take It All Back”  and “I Just Try to Work It Out.”

The former starts with a gripping Ossie Davis sample which is also included at different points in the song and features heartfelt spoken word and a memorable hook that plays like a mantra. The latter is a 40 second piece that evokes sadness and melancholy and a relatable and insight-filled narration by Gwendolyn Brooks, who leaves us with something to ponder.

“I just feel

There isn’t any time

For crying

When I have a problem

I just try to work it out

And I give it

My conscious effort

And attention”

Overall, the project touches on real-time issues that affect us on a global scale. From terrible policies, underhanded capitalistic activities, proxy wars, lack of humanity and the never-ending turbulence that rises from it all. One thing to note is the period of creation of this album also plays into the themes it explores. From 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to 2024 where, political crises and unprecedented global upheaval is now the new norm, the project filters through these life changing events and presents them in a musical snapshot for us to diligently absorb.

Fold are also neurodivergent advocates, their founder Seth Mowshowitz is particularly open about his experiences as an undiagnosed autistic adult with two autistic children. This is also reflected in the music which is driven in part by the need to regulate the creators’ mental and emotional states.

We Do Not Forget consists of 2 separate releases. The CD version (exclusive to Bandcamp) is an 8 track mini-album bundled with a hand-illustrated 28-page zine. The digital release is a 5 track EP available on all other platforms

Stream on all DSPs here.

“Photos by Justin Leeming”

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