Cold Wind Calling - Circadian Review

WARNING! The videos embedded in this article contains profanity. Reader discretion is advised.

The genre of spoken word is obtuse, as it is quite the alternative to the conventional singing you may be used to hearing in a song. What makes it unique, though, is the succinct delivery of the words to the listener, as anyone can speak, but true talent is displayed in a spoken word artist’s ability to pelt the listener with concentrated angst and emotion. Soothing ambiance accompanies the vocal attacks, putting the words at the forefront without letting them fully dictate the mood.

Alex Zarek is behind 2015’s Cold Wind Calling. While this is currently the artist’s only release, Alex would shift his focus into cinematography, which he has completely excelled at and has even had a hand in directing Marshmello’s remix of Bastille’s “Happier” animated video, sitting at an impressive 427 million YouTube views. He has also contributed music videos to successful bands like Real Friends, VCTMS, Belmont, and many more.

Circadian, however, sits at 9 monthly listeners on Spotify, and Zarek has not performed since 2017. Despite the minuscule following, this album has stuck with me for several years ever since Alex promoted it on his personal Facebook page. I heard this record at a point after discovering other similar acts such as Hotel Books, Levi the Poet, and Listener. While those acts may have taken off, this work of art took a backseat, but I was in the seat next to it. Circadian is an album warranting re-listens and contemplation.

Alex has a way with words, marrying a complex vocabulary with a penchant for fast, concise storytelling. A picture is painted in the listener’s mind through every song, with somber lyrics like “So meet me halfway, between the past and where we are today, and tell me with honest eyes that I’m okay,” and “I want you to realize that there is more opportunity in those moments of uncertainty than there ever was in any other time of your life, so be ready to dive headfirst for the things that might hurt the worst, and risk losing what you love to something you don’t know.” The captivation from Zarek’s words is undeniable; he conveys his feelings concretely and challenges the listener to see things his way. Alex’s sporadic meter in his delivery, ranging from quick to drawn out, makes for an unpredictable listening experience, even after several listens.

Where Circadian truly shines, though, is the vast bevy of artists featured, from a brilliant back-and-forth with Anthem Poet in “You” to the thrilling performances from Laura Burke and Jaclyn Heuser in “Bad Habits” and “The Best Thing” (respectively). Grantonic also lends a hand in several songs on the record. In conjunction with the sporadic nature of the songs, some, like “Fingerprints”, create a dreamy, reflective mood, whereas “Bad Habits” has deep soul roots. The range in Alex’s talent is apparent, with him helming this project and running it solo adding to the difficulty.

While Cold Wind Calling may have played its last note, Alex Zarek is doing big things in its place. He has a bright cinematography/photography career that is in its infancy, and has nowhere to go but up. Who knows if Alex will ever pick up the mic himself again? Nevertheless, this true hidden gem in spoken word artistry is worthy of your listen, and while its impact was never truly felt, it could have rocked the world.