KeX3 – Passages

“I needed an album cover for Passages and started thinking about related images. Eventually I googled certain keywords that came to mind and found an image bank where I did a search. Among 40 pictures, a particular one felt like the right choice. Then I decided to search through KeX3’s computer one more time and found a file called ‘Passages Cover’. It was the very same image that I had found online just minutes ago.” – Your’s Truly

Electronic Music artist Björn ‘KeX3’ Gustafsson ended his life last year. His weapon of choice was an overdose on medication. In order to gather enough to succeed beyond all doubt he stopped taking his medication over a period of several weeks. As a consequence he became hypomanic and did not sleep during the nights.

Instead, he spent that time working on his very last album:

Passages

Passages is an Electronic Ambient full length album. It’s concept sprung from our previous album collaboration, Songs From the Asylum . KeX3 had found a way to create ambient soundscapes in a very efficient manner. Together we iterated on that process and I acted as producer by collaborating on the first proof of concept tracks. I am credited for producing and publishing the album.

It is clear by listening to Passages that KeX3 was at ease and very happy for once. In hindsight it was obvious that his decision to end life made him relaxed and pleased with his remaining time on earth. The harmonies and soundscapes on the album are more than anything filled with emotional warmth, hope and an uplifting sense of longing.

I am truly happy to know that his last month spent on this planet was all happy and positive. Passages is the proof ot that.

As part of taking the role of curator for all unreleased material KeX3 left behind, it makes me glad to be able to finalise and publish Passages so that his family and friends can get to feel what I did:

Björn was in a good place at the end of his journey.

Rest in peace, Björn. I miss you.

Link to Passages Album on Spotify
Link to Passages Album on Apple Music/iTunes
Link to KeX3’s previous Album Songs From the Asylum
Link to KeX3’s previous Album Remixes From the Asylum