Product description

"Magnificent Fall," the new rarities compilation from The Notwist, gathers some special and wild moments from the rich history of this unique German indie band. Throughout their career, they have consistently released beautiful songs and exciting remixes on split singles, extended plays, and other formats, which have been carefully compiled here—with a keen sense of flow and listening experience—into a kind of "shadow narrative" by The Notwist, an alternative index of the possibilities this versatile band has explored during their time together.

In compiling "Magnificent Fall," they wisely avoided a chronological order, allowing the songs to traverse various phases and stages of The Notwist's career under the direction of brothers Markus and Micha Acher. This approach makes perfect sense, as the music presented here follows two impulses: to move forward and avoid repeating what has already been done, while simultaneously building upon the group's very specific musical language. Just one example: the beauty of the instrumental "Avalanche" from the 2020 album "Ship" seamlessly follows the joyfully melancholic glitch-pop of "Blank Air" from a 2010 split release with former member Martin Gretschmann's project Console.

Different phases, different members, shared concerns. The Notwist have always been interested in and open to community, and one of the many ways they connect with others is through remixes. Here are three of them, sent back to The Notwist from different corners of the world, both aesthetically and geographically: Grizzly Bear tackles "Boneless," Ada dedicates herself to "Run Run Run," and Odd Nosdam immerses "Sleep" in noise and racket. Another connection, of course, is that Odd Nosdam belongs to The Notwist's extended family through the "13 & God" project by Markus and Micha Acher with Anticon artists Themselves and Subtle.

The music on "Magnificent Fall" thus traverses diverse territory – abstract hip-hop, chamber pop, sweet and simple folk songs, indietronica, and free-floating improvisation. There are also several previously unreleased tracks spanning the band's history. At its core, however, lies what makes The Notwist so unique: the Acher brothers' distinctive fingerprint, their gently poetic way of moving through the world and expressively and generously embracing other musicians and artists. Historically aware without being nostalgic, "Magnificent Fall" is also the perfect entry point into The Notwist's reissue program with Morr Music, which includes a box set and the band's eight albums, documenting their three and a half decades of musical and community engagement. Looking back to move forward? A very good idea indeed.

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