Following on from his distinctive and cinematic piece, Chalk, featured on BlackPlastic in March, British electronic producer Antony Szmierek is back with new single Flight Simulator.
Szmierek was working as an English teacher at a college for children with developmental needs as his combination of spoken word and cinematic electronic production took off. Initial success led to him collecting the 6Music Artist of the Year award for 2023 following his EP, Poems to Dance To. Having subsequently found further breakthrough success with last year’s album Service Station at the End of the Universe, Szmierek has found exposure through a combination of Glastonbury Festival, Jools Holland, and frequent BBC airplay.
Here on Flight Simulator, the artist paints a picture of fear triggered by humanity’s hubris in the modern age. Snapshots of aeroplanes, whether real, imagined or digital, create a moment of reflection as Szmierek wrestles with the notion of control, responsibility, and fate. The meaning is open to our interpretation — is this a song about a flight simulator, or about the weight of the choices we make in life, and our responsibilities to those that our choices affect?
As with Chalk, Szmierek’s vocals here provide a grounded contrast to the music. His lyrics hit poetic highs, with just the song’s first few lines evoking so much so quickly:
‘And all the birds, they won’t stop laughing at the folly of the human race. Cuz we thought that we were angels We watch particles accelerate. If I can’t land it, then I’ll fuck it Right through my ex’s garage, And when I’m comatose It will be her voice that guides me through the panic.’
Shuffling synth sounds evoke heavenly electronics of Dan Snaith and Fred again.., as Szmierek’s performance is gently embellished with additional vocals from Imogen and the Knife. A video depicts Szmierek, sat over the shoulder of a man attempting to land an aeroplane on a supposed flight simulator, shaking as things begin to go wrong. A message is recorded into a phone as Szmierek dances with Imogen, coloured lights enveloping them, much like Paul Mescal’s character in Aftersun.
Following on from the cinematic grime of Chalk, Szmierek has made something more haunting and beautiful.
In addition to listening in the post, you can find almost all the music BlackPlastic covers on the music player of your choice. Add the dedicated playlist below: