Review: Kölsch '1983'

Image: Kölsch

When a debut album makes a significant statement, the pressure is always on create the same ripples the second time round. For Danish producer Rune Reilly Kölsch, it was his inaugural long player 1977 which came to light two years ago and powerfully churned emotions and provoked the drive to dance in equal measures, making it just as suitable for a commute as it was for a club.  

He returns to German label Kompakt with 1983 and, fortunately, it's filled with more of the same. The 13 track-long album is laced with nostalgia and solemnness, but still boasts enough euphoria to move a whole dancefloor, and we're more than happy to endure those pleasantly conflicting feelings all over again. 

1983 opens with the same titled track, and Kölsch's instantly recognisable organ sound takes hold. It's repetitive and simple, elegant and sun-drenched, and is picked up with percussion half way through. 

Strings are brought in for the next track, 'Talbot'. The partnering of orchestral flourishes from Gregor Schwellenbach with Kolsch's production is a match made in musical heaven, and adds mesmerising layers to already spine-tingling tracks. 

The album digs up hazy memories you forget you even had, and lays them out for you in your head, but they are always met with satisfying emotions - nothing about the album is dark or unnerving. 

For us, the highlight of 1983 comes from 'Unterwegs'. It doesn't quite take the clear lead the way that 'Der Alte' did on a full listen of 1977, but it's five minutes of brilliant, storming dance music and climaxes with another impressive showcase of orchestral craftsmanship. 

Kölsch utilise's the sounds that electronic music often forgets about, and the presence of instruments makes this album extra special - it's classic and modern all at the same time. Despite a few weaker tracks sitting within 1983, the album holds attention and boasts substance, and that lush orchestration and pumping electronic euphoria is tailor made to melt into his live show this festival season.

It's another solid effort from Kölsch, whose approach to music wholly suits the album format. An album is a full experience, it goes from A to B, and Kölsch effortlessly takes us on another journey with this new release. 

1983 is out on 8th June on Kompakt Records.

Catch Kölsch's upcoming shows.