Imagine the classic Eames chair. Smooth curves and perfect proportions. You can see it, can’t you? In the light, the wood grain gleams, and the leather is soft and comfortable. Now picture a hi-fi system, filling a calm, open Nordic-styled room with sound. That’s the world Cosima Olu’s second album, In Between belongs. It’s a space of warmth, refinement, and subtle drama.
Across nine tracks she created an experience that felt as sculpted as it is spontaneous. She doesn’t chase extremes or experiment for the sake of it. Instead, she builds texture, balance, and an emotional pull.
The opening track, Nowness, invites you in gently, its softness acting as a threshold for what follows. Then comes Easy, where Cosima’s signature sound immediately shines through. Her vocals are clear and warm, surrounded by subtle drum work, shimmering keys, and a perfectly weighted bassline. It’s uncluttered, confident, and deeply human.
Oceans carries that same serenity but swells in motion, mirroring its title with rhythmic waves and vocal fluidity. The jazz fusion of Overgrown brings rich instrumentation, and this is where Cosima’s attention to detail truly shows. The double bass grounds everything, giving the song a tactile warmth. Even with so many elements at play, the sound never feels crowded. Each instrument, no matter how subtle, contributes to the whole.
It’s Cosima’s approach to love songs that makes Something in the Air so soft. She doesn’t dwell on heartbreak or melancholy. Instead, her tenderness feels like love grounded in affection rather than an extreme representation of longing.
Then there’s Ten Feet Tall, a soul highlight that shows just how skilled a songwriter she is. The way her vocal delivery varies here around the bassline and synth melodies is exquisite. Every decision felt intentional.
The album closes with Stuck in Reverse, a six-minute piece that lets you linger longer in the sound. It’s immersive, filled with beautiful harmonies, guitar chords, and bass textures that create an almost cinematic sense of space. She doesn’t fill space for the sake of it; she leaves room for the music to reveal its depth.
On the album’s cover art, Cosima, illuminated in red, suggests more drama than the album actually delivers. Because In Between isn’t built on shock or contrast. It’s built on skill, soul, and a deep understanding of what makes music feel real. Very enjoyable listening.
KEY TRACKS: Easy, Overgrown, Ten Feet Tall
Listener’s notes
If you have good headphones or a hi-fi system that rewards precision, this is the album to reach for. The production on In Between is clean and finely balanced, revealing subtle textures that ordinary speakers might blur. In Easy, the piano keys don’t strike sharply but float in the mix, soft and rounded. The gentle high hat taps, the deep double bass on Overgrown should underscore and not crowd Cosima. The trumpet fluttering notes are a delight.
Cosima’s vocals should be rich and sit beautifully centered, breathy, calm, and precise, so you can hear every intake of air and the emotion in each phrase. This isn’t background music; it’s composed sound, meant to be experienced with stillness and attention. Close your eyes, let the soundstage unfold, and listen for the hidden instruments that make In Between endlessly rewarding.
The Review
In Between – Cosima Olu
Cosima Olu embodies the maturity and quality of Swedish soul music today. I strongly recommend purchasing this on vinyl. In Between is an album to return to, to study, and to simply sit with. Preferably with a comfortable chair, a hi-fi system, and no distractions.
Review Breakdown
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4.5
