23 Fields is an emerging alternative project blending folk, rock, and Americana with emotional depth. Step’s lyrics vividly capture life, love, and the passage of time, while melodies offer warmth and familiarity. Their music reflects resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of artistic expression, showing it’s never too late to pursue what ignites the soul. Their new album, “The Vacant Stars of Wandering Souls”, delivers an atmospheric exploration of isolation, memory, and human connection, presenting a thoughtful, introspective sound. With renewed passion and perspective, 23 Fields creates evocative, soul-stirring music that resonates deeply, balancing personal reflection with universal themes, and marking a compelling return to the musical landscape that is both heartfelt and timeless.
23 Fields’ “The Vacant Stars of Wandering Souls”, released on December 25th, 2025, is a deeply introspective and atmospheric album that fuses folk, rock, and Americana into a cinematic, emotionally resonant experience. Across its eleven tracks, the record reflects Step’s personal journey and the lives of those around him, capturing themes of drifting, searching for meaning, and navigating a vast, often impersonal world. The production prioritizes mood and space, layering textured instrumentation and ambient sounds to evoke late-night reflection, long journeys, and moments of clarity. Vocally, Step delivers raw, expressive performances that carry a profound emotional weight, allowing the lyrics, probing identity, memory, and human connection, to resonate with authenticity. Each song contributes to a cohesive narrative arc, blending acoustic roots with ambient elements to create an intimate yet expansive soundscape. The Vacant Stars of Wandering Souls is a contemplative, immersive record that invites listeners to explore their own stories within its evocative, carefully crafted sonic world.
The Vacant Stars of Wandering Souls Album Track List:
Afrika Nitarudi:
“Afrika Nitarudi” is a profoundly nostalgic exploration of longing and belonging, capturing the emotional gravity of separation and the pull of homeland. The lyrics immerse the listener in vivid imagery of African landscapes, with lines like “The lions they roar, the shadows den them before” and “The ocean of whispers,” evoking a deep spiritual connection to nature. Childhood memories, such as learning to dream “on my father’s knee” and stories “of the war baron plane,” intertwine with the present yearning, making the song not only a physical but a spiritual journey back to roots. Vocally, 23 Fields delivers a clear and expressive performance, layered with harmonies that heighten the sense of intimacy and reflection. The atmospheric production complements the narrative: fingerpicked acoustic guitar forms a warm foundation, while sweeping strings add emotional resonance. Understated percussion provides a gentle rhythm that maintains calm momentum. The song’s dreamy soundscape and clean mix allow each instrument and vocal nuance to breathe, perfectly amplifying its lyrical themes of home, identity, and enduring connection to place.
Where Did We Go So Wrong?:
“Where Did We Go So Wrong?” examines societal decline with piercing introspection, questioning humanity’s current trajectory and the legacy left for future generations. Lyrically, the song reflects concern over selfishness, radical views, and the erosion of fundamental manners, with poignant lines like “Everyone’s out for themselves” and “All manners are nothing but for free.” The narrative scrutinizes how adults may fail children, wondering whether society teaches understanding or perpetuates confusion: “staring at the kids…wondering what life be like for them when they grow.” Vocals are raw and intimate, emphasizing the conversational urgency of the message, while harmonized backing lines subtly reinforce key refrains. Instrumentation is deliberately minimal: rhythmic acoustic strums and a subtle bassline form a warm, contemplative foundation. Production prioritizes clarity, allowing the lyrics and voice to remain the central focus. The restrained musical backdrop underscores the gravity of the societal critique, giving the track a melancholic, reflective atmosphere that aligns seamlessly with its theme of questioning moral and ethical deterioration.
You’re Alright:
“You’re Alright” embodies resilience and hope in the face of life’s adversities, delivering a comforting and empowering message. Lyrically, it acknowledges the challenges and obstacles one encounters; “brick stacked against wall coming up this high” and “ground beneath your feet that already fell”, while emphasizing self-preservation and forward momentum. The song encourages embracing change and protecting oneself from uncontrollable circumstances, urging listeners to maintain hope: “live life in peace and hope you’re all right.” Vocals are tender yet assured, conveying empathy and reassurance with warmth and clarity, while subtle harmonies enhance the emotional resonance of each line. Instrumentation centers on lightly reverbed piano motifs, supported by ethereal synth pads that add atmospheric depth without overwhelming the melodic clarity. Minimal rhythmic elements maintain a gentle pulse, underscoring reflection rather than driving intensity. The production’s spaciousness and focus on vocal intimacy allow the song’s message of hope, resilience, and personal strength to resonate fully, making it a profoundly comforting anthem within the album’s exploration of human experience.
Sioux:
“Sioux” delves into unrealized connections and unspoken longing, a meditation on relationships that never fully materialized. The lyrics convey wistful resignation and quiet reflection, exemplified by “Oh, you and I have never been together” and “And now I never knew you and I never will,” emphasizing the emotional weight of paths not taken. The narrative balances melancholy with subtle solace, recognizing that keeping someone “back my mind” allows a connection when reality prevents it. Vocally, 23 Fields’ delivery is intimate and expressive, highlighting vulnerability and regret while maintaining clarity that draws the listener into the narrative. Instrumentation is sparse yet immersive: gentle acoustic arpeggios paired with soft, ethereal synth pads evoke a reflective, almost dreamlike environment. Light, reverb-drenched percussion provides subtle movement without disrupting the contemplative mood. The production’s emphasis on space and clarity enhances the sense of introspection, allowing vocals and instrumental textures to resonate fully. Through its lyrical depth and nuanced arrangement, “Sioux” becomes a powerful reflection on longing, acceptance, and the bittersweet nature of emotional memory.
In The ‘Vacant Stars Of Wandering Souls’, We Drift Through Isolation And Memory, Searching For Meaning, Holding Onto Connection Beneath A Vast And Restless Sky.
~ Daniel (Dulaxi Team)
“The Vacant Stars of Wandering Souls” is a masterful exploration of emotion, memory, and human connection, delivering a cinematic yet deeply personal listening experience. 23 Fields’ ability to blend folk, rock, and Americana with textured, ambient soundscapes creates a record that lingers long after the music ends. Step’s expressive vocals and introspective lyricism invite listeners into a reflective space, making the album both intimate and universally resonant. For anyone seeking music that balances atmospheric depth with heartfelt storytelling, this album is an essential journey, perfect for quiet contemplation, late-night listening, or moments when you simply want to feel and reflect.
For more information about 23 Fields, click on the icons below.