Nils Frahm
Encores 1
Erased Tapes
Nils Frahm has released the extended 5-track playerย Encores 1, the first companion release to his universally acclaimed and currently touring seventh album, All Melody. For those who found All Melody lacking in stripped down, โFrahm-esqueโ piano works, Encores 1 fills any void in that respect (although, if anything, All Melody demonstrates Frahmโs exceptional musicality and compositional talent away from the piano).
โThe idea behind Encores is one we had from before All Melody; to do three releases each with their own distinct musical style and theme, perhaps even as a triple albumโ explains Frahm. โBut All Melody became larger than itself and took over any initial concepts.โ
Frahmโs signature grace notes, ostinatos, and the warming acoustic hum and sound of the moving piano keys are heard throughout the four pensive solo pieces of Encores 1. They lead up to the final 11.5-minute harmonium lament, โHarmonium In The Well,โ which slowly builds to a fortissimo climax. โRingingโ ends with what sounds like the flick of a lighter, and Frahm inhaling a cigarette before launching into the plodding and steady โTo Thomas.โ โThe Daneโ stands out as a favourite on the current world tour with its hopeful and lilting percussive motif.
Well-executed, simple, and profound, Encores 1 leaves a trace of the enigmatic in these piano and harmonium works that will continue this Berlin-based composerโs international acclaim.
โI think the idea of Encores is like musical islands that compliment All Melody,โ says Frahm. All Melody was formed from twelve of sixty initial sketches. With that in mind, it sounds like more music could be on the horizon.
Artistย Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NILS FRAHM – ENCORES 1
Talia Wooldridge