A deeper look into The Polish Ambassador’s recent album [Overview]

On October 2, “Time’s Running In” was released, and it feels much different than anything The Polish Ambassador has released thus far. Known in his everyday life as David Sugalski, The Polish Ambassador has undergone multiple style-altering paradigm shifts throughout his career as a musician. Of course, it’s natural for an artist’s style to evolve over time. Sugalski’s progression, however, seems to have very specific milestones in history. 

2006 to 2012 were the chiptune, glitch, retro/dreamwave, and synthpop days. 2013 to 2018, his style became much more organically influenced. Usage of string instruments, tribal percussion and lots of featured vocalists are a few of the aspects that heavily influenced this era. To wrap up 2020, Sugalski has undergone yet another significant shift in style.

While previous TPA albums have certainly had world and bass music aspects, we’ve yet to receive a primary world bass album from Sugalski until now. The twelve track album brings back consistent tribal percussion and features many other sounds from different corners of the Earth. With its ample incorporation of melodies comprising Oriental and Middle Eastern instruments as well as vocal samples from different languages, “Time’s Running In” presents no shortage of diversity in its sound and style. Diversity aside, the album’s progression has many unexpected, yet pleasant, twists and turns. One moment the listener is floating through space, and the next, they’re at a sexy dance party in the Arabian Desert.

Sugalski smiles wide while fans dance on stage

The album begins with “Bebe” and “Lost Kingdom” which suspend the listener in midair with trancey basslines, synthesizer melodies and drawn out melodies that take advantage of instruments and vocals alike. Feet quickly touch the ground again as “Mystic Matterz” takes the vibe in a groovy, 2-step, hip-hop direction. The track features vocals from Zion I and Nitty Scott.

What’s the definition of insanity?

Ain’t it just a difference in realities?

This world is half water; half calamity,

so I could tell if you, if you manifest it, who you plan to be.

The groove continues into “Soft and Gentle,” but it takes a detour across a dark and ominous ocean in “A Seafarer’s Map to the Overworld” before it comes back strong again in “Lookin’ Butters.” “Mystery Science Heater” induces the comfort of being incubated in a cocoon while simultaneously simulating the intensity of bursting forth from said cocoon. A short build-up at the beginning of “Two-Step” gives the listener a moment to adjust to their post-cocoon world right before they take a trip to a dance club in the jungle. The trance-dance combo that is “Eastern Eyes Western Skies” feels like “Two-Step” and “Bebe” had a, well  … a bebe. 

Sugalski posing for Marquee Magazine

“The Wrong Side of the Universe” appropriately starts out feeling like nothing else on the album. Somber piano, a lightly chiming xylophone and calm chanting pull the listener into a state of melancholic serenity right before the track ascends into the happiest, bounciest vibe the hour-long album has to offer. “Blue Blockin’ Hip Hop” employs the use of cello and saxophone and takes the album back in the hip-hop direction once more. The track features vocals from Rhymewave.

So let the outer space and mysticism merge.

Cynicism learns as the symbolism burns.

Stickin’ with the synchronistic version of the words,

and pickin’ up right after all the lines have gotten blurred.

Finally, “Silence is Foldin’” takes the listener on one last bouncy, flute filled trip through the jungle before the record folds into silence.

Even though this feels like a new direction for Sugalski, there are some aspects of his style that are so characteristic to his music, they may never change—I’m talking about those classic chopped up vocals and (sometimes not so) subtle funk vibes. Check out “Time’s Running In” and see how it compares to the rest of The Polish Ambassador’s diverse and extensive discography.

Photos from thepolishambassador.com

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