Poldoore’s sixth studio album, Chroma Dream, is more than just an album. It’s a radiant transmission of emotion, intention, and sonic storytelling.
Released on Friday, May 30 through Philos Records, Chroma Dream serves as his first full-length project with the genre-defying label, home to artists like Daily Bread and Late Night Radio, marking a major milestone in the Belgian producer’s career.
Crafted from a kaleidoscope of vibrant melodies and dynamic rhythms, the 12-track record not only marks a bold new chapter for Poldoore but also stands as a powerful testament to his creative vision and unwavering drive for expression.
“It’s kind of wild. This is already my sixth full-length album, and indeed my first one with Philos,” Poldoore explains in an interview with The Daily Frequency.
“I first connected with the whole Philos crew (Jordan, Late Night Radio, Artifakts, Derlee, Daily Bread…) when Late Night Radio invited me to open for him at Cervantes in Denver a year or two ago. There was an instant vibe for sure. I felt a real connection when hanging with everyone, especially Jordan, who founded and runs the label.”
Of course, the organic chemistry with the Philos crew turned out to be more than a one-off moment. Foreshadowing what was to come, it became the foundation for Chroma Dream, a project that captures Poldoore’s evolution while seamlessly aligning with the label’s ethos.
“Musically, this album felt like a natural fit for Philos. The sound, the energy, it all just lines up perfectly with where I’m at artistically. It really feels like I found the right home for this record and for my music in general. Working with Jordan has been such a joy. He’s super laidback but also incredibly driven, which is a refreshing combo in this business. The whole process of working on the release felt more like collaborating with a friend than doing business, which made the experience even more rewarding. I’m sure it’s not my last release with them.”
As the first melody hits your ears, Chroma Dream immediately invites you into a vivid, dreamlike world where color and sound intertwine. From the intoxicating melodies of the opener Look Into My Eyes with Will Magid, to the warm hues of soul on the closer Step Outside, Poldoore shapes a transformative sonic journey that feels both expansive and immersive.
“Immersive is exactly the intention behind this record,” he says. “While there are definitely some more straightforward ‘beats’ on there (tracks that are a bit simpler and groove-driven), I really wanted the focus to be on longer, evolving pieces. Songs that take you on a journey rather than just giving you a quick hit.”
In an era of shrinking attention spans, where quick-fix songs that appease algorithms instead of the music have become the industry standard, Poldoore dares to be different. Rather than chasing trends, he stays true to both himself and his craft.
“There’s been this unfortunate trend in recent years where songs are getting shorter and more formulaic, mostly to fit into the mold of social media algorithms. I get it, but personally, I’ve always been drawn to music that takes its time with complex, layered compositions that unfold gradually. I especially love songs that introduce new elements toward the end, where just when you think you’ve heard it all, something fresh comes in and shifts the whole feel or adds a new emotional layer. That’s the kind of experience I wanted to create with this album, something immersive, with depth and movement, that rewards repeat listens.”
The name Chroma Dream itself reflects the record’s complexity and cinematic, shapeshifting nature. Each track moves like a scene in a lucid dream, fragmented yet somehow connected by an invisible thread.
“To me, the name reflects the overall structure and feel of the album, which are these long, evolving tracks that shift through different moods and textures, almost like scenes in a dream. You know how in dreams, different scenes can feel random or disconnected on the surface, but deep down there’s this strange logic tying it all together? That’s the vibe I was going for. Each track has its own journey, with different sections that move and transform. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes dramatic.”
Like scenes in a movie, each track tells a story within itself, yet when put together they form a cohesive cinematic experience.
“That dreamlike feeling also applies across the album as a whole. The songs span different genres and styles, yet they still feel like they belong together. That’s always been a big goal for me, making records that are diverse but cohesive, where the contrast between tracks feels intentional and exciting rather than too random.”
That intentional balance between contrast and cohesion is where Chroma Dream shines the brightest. Each track brings its own flavor, yet nothing ever feels out of place. It’s a delicate dance between exploration and structure, and for Poldoore, it’s where the creative process becomes most rewarding.
“Honestly, that’s the most fun part of making an album, finding those unexpected connections between songs and weaving them into something that feels like one complete story, even if it jumps between different scenes or sounds.”
Through intricate layers of production and textured soundscapes, he crafts a sonic landscape that invites listeners to escape reality and lose themselves in sound and emotion.
“If there’s one thing I always try to do with my music, it’s to help the listener escape from this world, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I don’t know exactly why, but I’ve always been drawn to cinematic, atmospheric sounds that transport you somewhere else. Music that makes you feel something, whether it’s a sense of melancholy, nostalgia, or happiness.”
For Poldoore, creating tangible sonic experiences is a philosophy that extends beyond the studio. Whether it’s a full-length album or live performance, he approaches his art with an intention not to overwhelm the senses, but to ease them into a deeper state of reflection and feeling.
“That emotional pull just comes naturally to me, it’s never forced. I realized the same thing after playing live for a few years too. I’m not trying to make people go wild or jump around during my sets. What I really want is to give them the chills and to create an experience where they can slow down and really feel something,” he shared. “So with this album, I leaned into that fully. I wanted it to be immersive, like a soundtrack to a dream or a memory you didn’t know you had. Something that quietly stays with you long after it’s over.”
It’s not just that he created a world of his own, but how that world was created. It’s one thing to explore different genres, but weaving them into a single, fluid experience without losing direction is what truly sets Chroma Dream apart.
“It was definitely one of the trickiest but also most rewarding parts of making an album for me. I naturally pull from a lot of different genres like soul, trip-hop, electronic, jazz, dub, ambient, whatever resonates emotionally, really. The biggest challenge is making sure it doesn’t end up sounding like just a random playlist of styles. I want each track to have its own identity, but still feel like part of the same world.”
The ability to effortlessly blend sounds is not easy. It requires patience, a sharp ear, and a willingness to chase the right feeling, not just the right sound. And for Poldoore, the magic lives in the details, in the quiet hours spent refining the emotional tone of each element until it fits the greater whole.
“Sometimes that means spending days digging for samples that work together, not just musically, but technically. Finding sounds that are in tune emotionally and sonically can be really tough.”
But it’s in those long, uncertain stretches, when progress feels just out of reach, that the real artistry starts to take shape.
“Then there are moments, like with the title track Chroma Dream, where everything just clicks. Somehow I was able to blend elements from dub, soul, ambient, and jazz into one track that still makes sense and feels cohesive. That’s what I do it for, those moments where all the puzzle pieces fall into place. It’s incredibly satisfying when it happens and it reminds me why I love the process so much.”
It’s that process that results in not just a cohesive sound throughout the album, but an experience that tells a story, and for Poldoore, it’s the music itself that can express emotions in a way words cannot.
“Words are linear and specific, but music can be abstract and open-ended. It can evoke moods, memories, and sensations that are hard to put into language. Sometimes a simple chord progression can evoke memories or feelings that you didn’t know you had. That’s the magic of it, and why I’m so drawn to creating atmospheric, emotional music that invites listeners to find their own meaning within it.”
As far as inspirations go, the influences behind Chroma Dream run deep. From artists like Pretty Lights and Bonobo to 60s dub records, the album is packed with layers that speak to Poldoore’s artistry and hands-on approach to production.
“I think subconsciously I’m definitely influenced by artists I admire, people like Bonobo, Emancipator, Pretty Lights, Maribou State, Boards of Canada, all of them have shaped my musical taste in different ways. But for this particular record, I found myself diving deep into a lot of Jamaican dub from the ’60s and ’70s, especially King Tubby’s work. Even though this isn’t a dub album by any stretch, his approach really inspired me. It pushed me to record much of the album by hand, automating synthesizers, using broken tape delays, old spring reverbs, and incorporating a lot of hardware to bring an organic, tactile feel to the music.”
And through all the experimentation and evolution, the album is both profoundly new and innovative, yet remains grounded in Poldoore’s authenticity and recognizable sound.
“Even though I think my style is still recognizable, I definitely feel like my music has matured over the years. I learned how to create more interesting and dynamic arrangements that keep the listener engaged throughout. On top of that, I feel that my technical skills have progressed a lot too, whether it’s in sound design, mixing, or production techniques,” he explained. “I’ve also gotten better at quickly and easily translating the emotions or ideas I have in my head into actual sounds, which makes the creative process a lot more efficient and intuitive. All of this combined basically means that I’ve been having a lot of fun working on music these past few years and I feel like it shows on this record.”
However, that growth doesn’t come from waiting for inspiration to arrive. Instead, he shows up every day, puts in the work, and lets the creativity follow.
“Honestly, for me it’s all about just showing up in the studio and actually trying to make music, play an instrument, or at least be busy doing music-related stuff. If you can do that every day as an artist, that’s already a big win. I always cringe a little when I hear people say they’re not making music because they’re ‘not inspired,’ because I truly believe inspiration flows naturally when you simply show up and start messing around with sounds.”
On top of showing up every day, it’s the responsibilities beyond the studio that have pushed him to bring greater intention and clarity into his creative process.
“I’ve always been a pretty disciplined person who makes music or does sound design work every single day, but becoming a father a few years ago added a whole new layer to that. It forces you into this daily routine and makes the most of the time you have to work on music. That balance has actually helped me be more productive and intentional with my creative process.”
With Chroma Dream out in the world, Poldoore will spend the rest of 2025 connecting and sharing more of his creative world.
“For the rest of this year, I’m planning to play some live shows and connect with audiences in person, which is something I really love. I’m also working on new original music, always trying to push my sound forward and explore new ideas.”
While performing remains a key part of his year, Poldoore is just as active behind the scenes. He’s been diving deep into the world of sound design, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry to craft tools for other producers.
“On top of that, I’ve actually been doing quite some sound design work for sample pack companies like Splice, Tracklib, and LANDR, which is a really fun way to experiment with new sounds and techniques that sometimes even find their way into my own music. It also forces me to stay up to date with the newest technology in the music production industry, which is something I’m very interested in.”
Beyond that, he’s building a space for community and education. Through his Patreon, he’s peeling back the curtain on his process, offering fans and fellow creatives a hands-on look at how his music comes to life.
“I’m also spending a lot of time on my Patreon, creating sample packs and recording creative tutorials that show how I make my music. It’s a great way to connect with fellow producers and fans, and share my process in a very detailed, hands-on way.”
“So, there’s a lot going on, and I’m excited to share more throughout the year.”