One in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime and on average one woman is killed every 5 days in England and Wales by a current or former partner.

Refuge is the largest single provider of specialist services to survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse and runs the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline that provides the first step to women escaping abuse. 

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread and common human rights violations worldwide. Manfred Thomaser (aka Arsine Tibé) and Suzanne Letting address precisely this important issue.

“Reclaimed” is a concept mini-album that confronts listeners with the fate of a woman who has experienced violence. It is told from a first-person perspective, which allows for an immediate—and therefore very emotional—connection to the subject.

The album kicks off with “Escape To Nowhere,” which combines gentle, understated instrumentation with a spoken-word performance. Through clear yet poetic language, the starting point of the theme is presented in an almost painful way. On the one hand, the lyrics offer a very concrete description of the situation; on the other, they are interwoven with questions and accusations. A way out is sought desperately, but surprisingly, there is even a first attempt to come to terms with the past. The word “Free” is emphasized in several places, leading into the next track of the same name. Here, the listener witnesses the building of a new self-confidence and even the discovery of healing. The music reflects this in a melodic line that is at times tentative, yet more expansive. Spoken word gives way to singing, and even a laugh can be heard.

In the third song, “On My Own,” listeners are once again confronted with the protagonist’s traumatic past. Doubts and further questions arise. Is it possible to break free from the past, or does a return to it perhaps deserve another chance after all? Dark soundscapes reflect these conflicts; once again, “free” becomes the key word, and a brief pause in the music makes the inner turmoil particularly clear.

Toward the end, the song “Ghost Doorway” invites listeners to dance freely, and Suzanne Letting’s vocals soar to ethereal heights. The burden lifts not only from the protagonist but also from the listeners. There is hope, but the path to it requires courage, strength, perseverance, and determination—and, not infrequently, the support of others. This mini-album is one possible way to support those affected.

(Torsten Pape)

Suzanne Letting says about "Reclaimed":

"We wanted to bring to attention that many women and often some men, put up with intolerable relationships because they have been driven down in confidence to break the cycle. In writing these lyrics, born from the experiences of watching close friends deteriorate and then break free, we wanted to portray that there is always a way out. A new beginning to be had. Together, we have brought dynamic instrumentation to emphasis the storytelling in this project of the experience and feelings one might feel and the liberation of finally breaking free and becoming who they were meant to be.“

Tracklist:

01. Escape To Nowhere

02. Free

03. On My Own

04. Ghost Doorway

05. Escape To Nowhere (Instrumental)

06. Free (Instrumental)

07. On My Own (Instrumental)

08. Ghost Doorway (Instrumental)

A Special Edition EP is available on both CD and Vinyl with all proceeds going to Refuge here https://www.elasticstage.com/reclaimed - this includes the instrumental versions of each track as a special bonus edition.

Lyrics: Suzanne Letting

Music: Manfred Thomaser & Suzanne Letting (1-3) / Suzanne Letting & Manfred Thomaser (4 & 8)

Manfred Thomaser (5 - 7)

Cover picture AI generated by Suzanne Letting / Cover design by Seyhan, Manfred Thomaser & Suzanne Letting

More info: https://www.manfredthomaser.de/#arsinetibe and https://sunimusic.co.uk

By kindly sponsoring me today you are helping to save and change the lives of thousands of women and their children. Thank you