BM

Golden Retriever Records (Auckland) and Monika Enterprise (Berlin) are proud to present 'BM', the latest album by German queen of electronic piano-pop, Barbara Morgenstern. 'BM' is Morgenstern's fifth record - the first to be released in New Zealand - and is her most accomplished, searching, and satisfying creation to date. Morgenstern is no stranger to our shores, however - in 2007 she performed in Auckland at AK07, flooring unprepared audiences with the juxtaposition of her made-for-pop voice and soaring choruses with a folio of edgy techno, born of formative years in the underground music scene of Berlin. Continuing her 2007 tour throughout Europe, Asia and the US, Morgenstern was confronted with experiences that slowly evolved into questions, both personal and societal; questions that she has explored through the unusual, unpredictable and beautiful 'BM'.

Album opener "Driving My Car" sets the scene: gentle and evolving with a thoughtful classical influence, Morgenstern notes, "Every temperature has got its own season / Now winter is a minimalist". Is she referencing climactic changes - or simply being poetic? "Here comes the night / Driving my car into the night". 'BM' is definitely a journey, but where it takes the listener is welcomingly uncertain. The energetic lead single "Come to Berlin" is not only an ode to the historic city, but also a warning against its rapid metropolitan development: "Isn't Berlin the place to be?" The song is classic Morgenstern: pensive melody, pulsing techno-influenced rhythm and an unforgettable chorus.

'BM's instrumentation is markedly limited: gone are the organs and drum machines of Morgenstern's earlier years of celebrated experimentation. Here the focus is on piano, keyboards, strings, choir, live drums, loops and a deceptively sweet voice. Sung mostly in German with moments of English, 'BM' nevertheless functions as an enchanting and engrossing pop record, with the English-translated lyrics in the album booklet providing insight into Morgenstern's world.

'BM' is an album that casts shadows, but rather than attempting to shed light, Morgenstern moves further into that darkness, examining and defining its qualities. "Your faith is neither here nor there, dear / Belief is just a camouflage for fear," sings guest writer and performer Robert Wyatt on the haunting "Camouflage". Morgenstern ponders her own mortality through the crunchy beats of Morbus Basedow, and encapsulates travel claustrophobia on the ghost-like Jakarta.

Despite its darker tones, 'BM' is definitely an uplifting record - as Morgenstern proudly suggests on its cover photograph. Replete with gorgeous moments of power-pop on tracks like "Reich & Berühmt" ("Rich & Famous") and "Deine Geschichte" ("Your Story"), it is supported with two moving instrumentals: the delicate "Für Luise" for piano and dog-collar, and album closer "Hustefuchs", showcasing 'BM's string arrangements by Antony & the Johnsons cellist Julia Kent. A multi-layered record of substance and beauty from one of Europe's pop music intelligentsia, 'BM' is the album that Morgenstern's New Zealand fans have been waiting for, and is bound to make new ones.