Barbara Morgenstern - Nichts Muss

Though NICHTS MUSS is much more abstract than Barbara Morgenstern’s debut album, it still retains warmth amidst the frigid electronics. Once again, Pole and Thomas Fehlmann lend helping hands, but Morgenstern keeps her hallmarks (generous use of neo-classical piano and electric guitar on the title track come to mind) there. The tracks here show a little less diversity in sound from FJORDEN, which is a bit disappointing. But she also shows interest in the stop-start cut-up method, which give a boost to “Aus Heiterem Himmel” and “Merci (Dass Es Dich Gibt).” The horn sample on “Kleiner Ausschnitt” drives up the energy level, to complement the slightly faster tempo; “We’re All Gonna Fucking Die” is strangely upbeat, despite the title. Finally, “Reset” ends the album on an abstract, ambient note, with a few guitar notes plucked into outer space. Definitely worth a listen.