David J Boswell – I Know What I Saw EP (EP Review)

David J Boswell’s creative journey hasn’t followed a straight line. Emerging from Sheffield, a city famed for producing artists who operate just outside the mainstream, Boswell has consistently chosen the less obvious route. After early visibility as part of the All Seeing I collective in the late 1990s, he stepped away from public attention and redirected his energy into a long period of studio based exploration.

Over the years, he built a respected catalogue of electronic releases under various aliases, gaining recognition from major publications while remaining largely out of sight. More recently, his work has shifted toward songwriting that draws on folk and blues traditions, shaped by the same experimental instinct that defined his electronic output.

I Know What I Saw captures this phase with clarity and restraint. The EP feels carefully assembled, with production that supports the songs rather than dominating them. There is a strong sense of personality running through every track, particularly in Boswell’s vocals, which are distinctive and emotionally direct. Rather than aiming for technical perfection, his voice carries character and intention, becoming one of the project’s defining features.

The opening track sets the tone with a sound that feels immediately personal. Its arrangement is uncluttered but purposeful, allowing the song’s atmosphere to develop naturally. The mix is well judged, giving space to both the instrumentation and the vocal performance, and the overall effect is quietly compelling.

Walk Her Down leans more heavily into traditional folk influences. The song has an old world feel, echoing the spirit of classic folk records from the late 20th century while maintaining a modern looseness. Repetition plays an important role in the lyrics, reinforcing the song’s central idea and adding to its reflective mood. The instrumentation remains understated, letting the song’s structure and melody carry the weight.

Going Down Slow Part 1 introduces a slightly rougher texture, particularly in its opening moments, but this rawness works in its favour. The track gradually reveals a strong melodic core and thoughtful lyricism. Boswell’s vocal delivery is confident and expressive, and there is an offbeat rhythmic element running through the song that gives it a subtle sense of tension and individuality.

The disco edit of I Know What I Say marks a clear shift in direction. Driven by a rhythm that separates it from the rest of the EP, the track reconnects with Boswell’s background in dance music. Rather than feeling disconnected, it offers a different angle on his songwriting, showing how his folk leaning material can be reimagined in a club oriented setting.

The Tom the Cosmic Cowboy remix of I Know What I Saw closes the EP by pushing even further away from acoustic influences. This version replaces warmth with a more synthetic palette, transforming the song into something more abstract and electronic. The production is polished and deliberate, presenting the track in a completely new light.

SCORE / Excellent – I Know What I Saw is a focused and expressive release that highlights David J Boswell’s ability to move between genres without losing his identity. It balances intimacy with experimentation, resulting in a collection of songs that feel personal, distinctive and quietly confident.

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