First time at BA
Bohren & Der Club of Gore, masters of somber "heroin jazz," have been crafting haunting soundscapes since their inception. Their eighth studio album, Patchouli Blue, released in January 2020, marks yet another chapter in their journey through atmospheric and cinematic sound. Across its 11 meticulously crafted tracks, the band invites listeners into a world of shadowy intrigue and subtle beauty. From the mournful saxophone of "Total Falsch" to the eerie synths of "Vergessen und Vorbei," Bohren expertly balance melancholy, tension, and moments of surprising lightness.
The album’s signature sound blends classic Bohren elements with experimental surprises: a haunting rhythm machine, analog synthesizers, and layers of rich, ambient tones. Described by the band as “four parts classic Bohren, three parts strange, and four parts jazz slow burners,” Patchouli Blue is an enigmatic journey. Tracks like "Tief Gesunken" evoke a precise, lingering melancholy, while "Deine Kusine" offers an uncharacteristically luminous moment. With its carefully curated sonic palette, the album weaves a story—part light, part abyss—that lingers long after the last note fades.
