Ethereal new music – ageism and what it means to be older and queer

The new album by the Australian ambient project Panoptique Electrical has just been released and explores ageism and ageing.

For Years was made as part of a larger music project called Ageism that traverses ideas of what it means to be older and queer. 

The compositions are created by Jason Sweeney, who also performs under the moniker Sweeney. They are described as observing the ageing queer body as a site of beauty, of wisdom, of false promises, and a fragile future. Something to look forward to, something to leave behind.

The album is filled with sounds that are multilayered, subtly flowing through a range of drawn out and prolonged tracks. It’s the perfect music for meditation, deep thought, or creating an aural background.

Distant bells, muted piano, and choral vocals drift through the pieces creating an intriguing sonic journey.

The new works were composed, performed, and produced by Jason Sweeney on Kaurna Country throughout 2023 and 2024.