Hannes Bieger - Galaxies (2025)

Produced during a period of transition, Hannes Biegers latest album project, Galaxies, sees the formidable producer channelling his experience into a beautifully crafted collection of music. On this new LP, Hannes takes the listener on an interstellar voyage, driven by nine emotive rhythms. As the title suggests, Galaxies embodies the magic and mystery of the vast expanse outside of our own tiny planet. Alongside his exquisite solo productions, Hannes also teams up with a couple of vocalists (FEY and Walead) on the album. Informed by Hannes experience as a live performer, engineer and producer, Galaxies has been sequenced with careful consideration, with an overarching build up from slower melodic cuts, to more powerful compositions towards the end. It also includes his hit record Black Hole, a track which has special significance to his trajectory, being the inspiration behind his label Elektrons, which is where Galaxies is being released... The album came together a few years after Hannes moved into a new studio. After battling with a creative block and uncertainty about which stylistic direction to take with his music, the album was largely written at the beginning of 2023 when hed settled into the new space and felt empowered to simply be free in his expression. Making music with no fixed agenda, free from the genre struggle hed been going through, in a space that feels like the best he has ever worked in. The perfect ingredients for creativity to flow and a new body of work to take shape. During this period came Black Hole, a pivotal moment for Hannes. The track got a huge response whenever he played it out and picked up a lot of interest on his social media. It became the catalyst behind the launch of his own label - Elektrons - and solidified Hannes stylistic approach; blending melodic elements with tougher rhythmic components. Black Hole is accompanied by eight other productions on Galaxies, each one symbolic of the albums theme. Like so many of us, Hannes has a fascination with our existence and the universe beyond the limits of planet Earth. Galaxies encompasses themes connected to the questions that science is trying to answer - in particular, What is the fabric that binds the universe together? For Hannes, it is neither matter nor antimatter, but the human experience and, ultimately, Love, that bonds us all. This is of particular relevance with the lead single Hawa. The title itself translates to Love and Waleads highly affecting lyrics are a poetic homage to the power of Love. On this powerful track Hannes combines pumping drum programming with a spinetingling melody. Moroccan singer Waleads vocals amplify the emotional depth of this cut. His Sufi origins and unique delivery are key ingredients for this beautifully crafted piece of electronic music. The rest of the album is equally representative of this theme and Hannes ability to blend the energy of techno with the emotional depth of the more melodic end of the spectrum, opener Apollo takes us on a wonderfully mellow trip above the stars and into the unknown. Meteor employs mesmerising synth lines to great effect, giving the feeling of travelling through the depths of space. Tranquil yet driving, its a perfect sonic representation of space travel. Stardust epitomises its title, with FEYs vocals providing an emotive accompaniment to the instrumental, with its jaunty elements emanating positive energy throughout. The Icelandic singer has a soft, angelic tone which lends itself to the transcendent quality of the track. Closing track Voyager offers space for contemplation with its sombre atmosphere. Where are we going? Whats next? Questions to ponder as the captivating melody rolls out with steady progression and typically thoughtful layered arrangement from Hannes. Always danceable, always full of rhythm and emotion, Hannes skillfully crafted productions take us beyond the stars to a world still shrouded in so much mystery and utilises the power of the unknown.