Bloom by Maria Basel
Maria Basel's debut album "Bloom" casts its spell right from the first notes. A deep dive into the sound worlds of the Wuppertal musician, she sets the mood for a journey through cinematic worlds as well as reduced composed pieces, from fragile-melancholic to powerful electronically driving. The heart of their music is and remains Basel's magical piano playing, which frames the opening and closing of the record.
"'Bloom' is about new beginnings and letting go of old burdens that weigh you down and drag you down. It's about forgiveness, fear, longing for more lightness, depression, the courage to show weakness, growth and change. About how important it is to be more loving and patient with yourself in order not to get crushed in the wild current of the world."
In contrast to her first EP "Layers" (Listenrecords 2021), which Basel recorded and produced completely on her own, she collaborated with other artists* for "Bloom"; first and foremost with musician and producer Jonas David, who also lives in Wuppertal, who played acoustic guitar and flugelhorn, among other things, and co-produced many of the songs.
For a more organic sound, much more analog instruments were used for the recordings: Milo Isgro's drums were recorded at Pausa Studio in Sicily, for example, and Charlotte Jeschke, long a part of Basel's live band, contributed her soulful cello. The pianist then combined this side of Basel's sound, which gives it warmth, with electronic sounds such as synths, beats, loops and samples. This part also includes new elements and directions, some songs are downright danceable; the focus on beats and fancy synths is much greater than on "Layers", which gives the album a great variety.
"Bloom" deals with a variety of events in interpersonal relationships. Sometimes autobiographical, but always universally formulated, Basel provides her listeners with a wide canvas for their own experiences and associations.
Fear and doubt must be conquered in order to grow and blossom.
Maria Basel's "Bloom" can help us all in this.
Tracklist
| 1. | Beginnings | 2:40 |
| 2. | Silence | 3:03 |
| 3. | Made For This | 3:49 |
| 4. | Broken | 4:11 |
| 5. | Rush | 3:22 |
| 6. | Ghost | 4:04 |
| 7. | Lights Out | 4:08 |
| 8. | Let Go | 4:05 |
| 9. | Blindfolded | 3:25 |
| 10. | Parallels | 3:19 |
| 11. | Fearful Men | 4:56 |
Credits
All songs written, composed & produced by Maria Basel.
Co-production by Jonas David.
Arrangements by Maria Basel & Jonas David.
Recorded at home, Studio Hitmaschine Huenefeld & Pausa Studio, Siciliy.
Mixed by Ben Majchrzak at Native Sound Recording, St. Louis.
Mastered by Jim Locke.
Cover photography by Arne Schramm.
Inlay photography by Talitha Lahme.
Artwork design by Arne Schramm & Anna Bartók.
License
All rights reserved.
Born into a family of classical musicians Maria Basel grew up in a household with music at its centre.
Today she works as a musician, composer, producer and DJ in different constellations and genres. With hypnotising synth, piano and vocal progressions she creates captivating sound layers that draw on a variety of genres, from classical to popular music to electronic and RnB sounds.