Exploring the tragedy of the present, personal fears, self-discovery, and social rifts, Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon poses a vital question: Are we simply going to give in to despair?
In These Dying Times marks the third album by the German-Turkish singer and her band Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon, released on October 11, 2024, by Unique Records.
“I started writing songs when I was 14 because I was afraid to talk about things and feared rejection. Music was my way of expressing what I felt,” recalls the 29-year-old.
It’s been five years since their last album, a period during which the band performed live (including at WDR Rockpalast), wrote new songs, and evolved.
During this time, Köcher worked on herself: “When my music became more public, I made my lyrics a little more cryptic because I feared what people might think of me. Therapy helped me let go of some fears, and I began writing more personal songs. It’s like a superpower that you gain when you manage to let go of fears.”
Her single “Seventeen” addresses unrequited love, insecurity, and power abuse in teenage years—experiences that resonate with many young women.
“At the end of the day, I’m not alone with these experiences, and I want to encourage other women that you can grow through such experiences.” she says.
Klaus Fiehe praised the song’s attention to detail on his 1LIVE show, describing “Seventeen” as one of the band’s best tracks.
The new album, recorded at Maarweg Studios, captures the unrest and events shaping today’s world. In These Dying Times reflects on contemporary tragedy, feelings of powerlessness, and social divisions.
Despite contemplating the past and future, the album remains deeply personal. “I don’t think I’ve ever put as much energy, sweat, and tears into music as I have into this album. Yet, I’ve never been so satisfied because I was able to realize my vision,” Suzan Köcher shares. “I felt a lot of pressure, but for the first time, I had the knowledge and opportunity to express myself artistically.”
Köcher and her band once again showcase their talent for catchy melodies with a mix of melancholy and warmth. Dream pop and psychedelia blend with disco, creating a vivid, shaded kaleidoscope.
In These Dying Times is also a call to live consciously, lead a self-determined life, and not succumb to negativity or despair. The songs embrace contrasts intentionally.
The album’s lyrics address urgent contemporary issues, forming a unique musical language. The quartet, led by Suzan Köcher, has evolved artistically and thematically.
Social changes, mental health, feminism, and self-discovery inform the tracks, encapsulating Köcher’s recent experiences. The themes include self-empowerment, self-forgiveness, escapism, and overcoming fears.
For the first time, Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon takes a political stance, opposing war and structures built on deception.
The title track, “In These Dying Times,” addresses societal divisions and dangerous forces pulling people apart. “Do you think you can tell the truth from the lies?” The song highlights the wars and climate crises that divide us, calling instead for unity. Musically, the track features Suzan Köcher’s signature synthesizers, oscillating from poppy to wild while remaining melodic.
“Maybe I’m A Lemon” offers a metaphorical exploration of identity—a journey into self-discovery: “kinda bitter, kinda sweet – little bits of me get stuck between your teeth.” Köcher drives the band with a crunchy twang guitar in the chorus, while a rough bass synth leads the disco-infused instrumental.
“Sleepless Strangers” merges dream pop with ’60s influences, steering clear of retromania. Inspired by Godard’s Alphaville and the elegance of Françoise Hardy, the piece is like a soundtrack to a film in Köcher’s mind.
The video, shot by Köcher using her childhood video camera, immortalizes her vision in kaleidoscopic images, inviting viewers into a cinematic experience.
The driving track “Living In A Bad Place” explores depression, with shadows lurking to catch up. “And around the corner there’s a chance you might get somewhere – but you better run fast.”
Although the lyrics are dark, written by Irish poet Michael Cummins, the upbeat disco rhythm and psychedelic instrumental provide space for listeners to process its message.
Towards the end, the album builds to a melodic crescendo. This blend of heavy themes and musical lightness without banality is a strength of Köcher’s band, as shown in this song.
“The Trip” opens the B-side, led by Köcher’s distorted rhythm guitar, with Julian Müller’s melodic lead and slide guitars, Janis Rosanka’s winding bass, and Dale Lohse’s steady drums layered over three mantra-like chords. Suzan’s ethereal vocals float above, accompanied by nocturnal Mellotron brass, creating one of the record’s darkest, most psychedelic pieces. “The devil came to see, he looked a lot like me – our boat was sinking down.”
In “Camera” and “Falling For Autumn,” Köcher reflects on life’s transience and the balance between holding on and letting go. The synthesizers of the Roland Juno 106 and Korg MS10 harmonize with Müller’s guitar work, shaping the sound as producer alongside Köcher.
“We hold on to memories, passing moments a reality,” Köcher sings in “Camera,” and “I’m falling for autumn as leaves lose their green,” blending Indie and Dream Pop.
The nearly 10-minute track “Desert Air Motel” recounts a journey through Texas, following the band’s SXSW Festival performances in Austin. It ties into themes from their previous album, showcasing the band’s love for improvisation, as celebrated in live shows.
Michael Patrick St. Claire returns to play a trumpet solo with a Mariachi touch and a jazz-infused duel, adding an unplanned tone. The song builds to a Krautrock finale, capturing the hypnotic energy of their performances.
In These Dying Times combines the melodiousness of their debut album, Moon Bordeaux, with the experimental bravery of their second album, Suprafon, while embracing new influences and themes.
This album marks a new chapter for Köcher, revealing her maturity as an artist willing to share her vulnerabilities with her listeners.
“Perhaps people will find themselves in my experiences in one form or another,” Köcher hopes. The “future grand dame of psychedelic chanson” (NBHAP) returns stronger, more present, and more personal than ever.
You can stream / download the new album HERE.
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