Tinlicker’s sound has always lived at the intersection of emotion and precision. Enter They Call Me Steve, the alias of Dutch producer Jordi van Achthoven. He is better known as one half of the melodic house duo Tinlicker alongside Micha Heyboer. Escapism LP out now via Be Yourself Music marks the debut album from Jordi and carves out a deeply introspective space, more intimate and unfiltered.
Van Achthoven’s journey to Escapism began in 2022. About the time he first adopted the They Call Me Steve moniker as an outlet for sketches and ideas that didn’t quite fit the Tinlicker mold. “The whole album feels like an enrichment of a part of me that I was never able to touch,” he explains
“Some of these tracks are older tracks that I’ve produced on my laptop years ago but never actually saw the light of day. I’m beyond excited that I’m finally able to share this music with the world now.” he says. Indeed, the album wears its personal origins on its sleeve. It blends rediscovered gems with fresh productions that incorporate samples from his daily routine.
Deep Dive into Escapism
From the opening notes of Celebrate, Escapism sets a tone of restrained euphoria. Building patient grooves that simmer. It’s melodic house at its most contemplative, with van Achthoven’s signature production finesse shining through in layered synths and understated percussion. Early singles like Whatever You Call It and Body Move hint at the album’s dual nature. Club-ready pulses that could slot into a late-night set, yet versatile enough for headphone escapism. Lara, another standout pre-release, featuring his daughter’s voice unfolds with a dreamy, vocal-led haze.
Deeper cuts reveal the album’s emotional core. June 4th drifts into downtempo territory with ethereal pads and subtle field recordings. While A Story weaves narrative threads through repetitive motifs that build a sense of nostalgia. Tracks like Life Has Changed and Sorry It Didn’t Work Out lean into melancholy, their titles alone suggesting a reflection on personal evolution.
Jordi elaborates on Escapism, “It’s a personal album, and I was able to incorporate many elements and samples from my daily life into the tracks. You can either blast it at full volume in a club, or use it as background music in your favorite local coffee corner. As the title suggests at its core, it’s all about escaping from everyday reality.”
Escapism as a State of Mind
It’s an album suited for the post-pandemic era, where the line between club culture and solitary reflection has blurred. In a scene saturated with high-octane tracks, van Achthoven’s restraint feels like sometimes the most powerful escapes comes from within.
Be Yourself Music, the Dutch imprint provides a fitting home for this debut. It underscores van Achthoven’s roots in the European electronic underground. As Tinlicker continues to tour globally, Escapism puts They Call Me Steve as a parallel universe worth exploring.
Fans of melodic introspection, think Four Tet’s more ambient leanings or the emotional depth of Bicep. One can find plenty to obsess over here.
Stream it now on Spotify. Follow They Call Me Steve on Instagram to stay updated on his upcoming releases.
Subhead: Tinlicker’s Jordi van Achthoven unveils his debut album under the They Call Me Steve alias, blending melodic house with introduction.
