A Sunlit Journey: Exploring Balearic Soundscape Through NuNorthern Soul

I’ve always been drawn to music that breathes—not the kind that shouts or screams, but the ones that let you sink into a moment. That’s what Balearic is: a feeling, a texture, a fleeting mood. It’s not a genre, exactly—more like a shared horizon, where ambient drift meets subtle groove and a bit of weightless magic.

That open-minded approach is exactly why I started the label NuNorthern Soul back in 2012—an invitation to music with soul, depth, and no boundaries. As I touched on in a 2021 conversation with Decoded Magazine, the label has always been about nuance and resonance, not classification (decodedmagazine.com; feel free to give it a peek for more on that ethos).

So here are some keystone tracks from the label—pieces I keep returning to, because they’ve defined why the label exists, and why certain music stays with you.

Joan Bibiloni & JIM featuring Rhys Ifans – “Badia Onírica” (from Cofio Recorda Remembrance)

At the heart of Cofio Recorda Remembrance sits “Badia Onírica”—a deeply evocative spoken word piece brought to life by the voice of Rhys Ifans. It’s built around Cofio, a 20th-century Welsh poem by Waldo Williams, translated into English and paired with a dreamlike musical backdrop composed by Joan Bibiloni and arranged by JIM (James Baron).

This isn’t just a track—it’s a moment of reflection. Ifans delivers the poem with quiet intensity, letting each word breathe against waves of ambient guitar, Balearic textures, and spacious arrangement. There’s a stillness to it. A sense of remembering without nostalgia. More like a meditation on presence and the quiet weight of time.

Released on St David’s Day—a nod to its Welsh roots—and the Day of the Balearic Islands, the track connects two coastal cultures through sound, poetry and atmosphere.

“Badia Onírica” captures everything NuNorthern Soul stands for: thoughtful, spacious, emotionally resonant music that drifts beyond language and genre. It’s music for still moments, internal landscapes, and slow reflections.

Jonny Nash – Remix of B.J. Smith “Hold On To It”

Jonny Nash’s version of B.J. Smith's “Hold On To It” is a masterclass in atmosphere. It unfolds slowly—muted guitars, distant vocals, and chords that linger like a soft echo. A Balearic dream you don’t have to understand; just let it wash over you.

Ron Basejam – Remix of Ragz Nordset “You Started It All”

Ron Basejam’s rework takes Ragz’s haunting vocal and wraps it in a gently building, mid-tempo groove. It’s soulful, spaced-out, and perfectly weighted—balancing warmth and melancholy without overstepping the mood. The arrangement holds back just enough to let the emotion breathe, making it ideal for those golden hour transitions when everything starts to blur into something beautiful.

Coyote - Remix of Jasper Van’t Hof "Pili Pili"

 

When we brought Pili Pili back to light, it was about sharing something legendary. The Coyote 2024 re-edit layers with delay, cowbell echo, and dub-wise treatment, turning a classic into a new ritual. 

Balaphonic “Oxum feat. Ocean Waves Brasil”

With Oxum, taken from the Resolution Revolutions album, Balaphonic taps into something deep and timeless. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian rhythm and spiritual energy, the track blends hypnotic percussion, warm melodic layers, and field recordings from the Brazilian coast—courtesy of Ocean Waves Brasil. It’s a rich, immersive piece that feels both grounded and transportive. Like a ritual unfolding in slow motion, it connects the dance-floor to something far older, and far more elemental.

Why These Tracks Matter

These aren’t highlights because they’re flashy. They’re foundational because they linger. They are about space, light, rhythm, and the quiet bend of atmosphere.

What they share is a sort of hushed confidence—music that doesn’t demand reaction, but invites connection. A groove as subtle as the horizon line, a chord that reframes how you remember a moment.

If any of this has piqued your interest—whether you’re new to Balearic or you’ve been orbiting it for a while—there’s plenty more to explore.

Head over to nunorthernsoul.co.uk, where you’ll find:

• Stories and Blog features – deeper context around our releases, artists, and the wider Balearic world.

• Our Bandcamp page – the full discography, including vinyl, digital, and exclusive edits.

• Mixes and guest sessions – soundtracks from friends and collaborators across the globe.

• Vlogs and video content – walking conversations, travel stories, and deeper reflections on music, place, and culture from the Balearic frontline and beyond.

Whether you’re chasing something for a sunset moment, a long walk, or just need a bit of space in your day—it’s all there. No hype, no noise—just honest music and stories shared with care.