Nils Frahm & Anne Müller
7fingers

Very beautiful music. Cerebral, if you will, but still enjoyable.

She, the cellist, brings the lyricism of her strings, melodious enough to provide some movement to what would otherwise be another static musical snapshot from dear Nils: that "usual" piano minimalism that is agreeable, yes, but a bit ho-hum, is beautifully avoided. Here instead, Nils also infuses electronic vibrations, undercurrent frictions, and digital scratches, which are the essential element, because they create the perfect context for the wavering moods of Anne's cello - often heart-wrenching (in a good way), more than dreamy.

There is also - in Because This Must Be - a woman's voice that, after the disturbing orchestra thunders, whispers "Io ti amo... Tu devi aiutarmi a capire da dove sono venuta", accompanied by clear smiles of the piano and a powerful yet delicate cello that tousles her hair. Throat-lumping.

Ah, Synthesis (which makes me feel good, in every aspect of life, from food to literature, from politics to the soul), here, in Music, without beating around the bush but with subtle innovative courage, full of crackling poetry.

9 tracks released in 2010 on Hush. 5 stars for them, hoping they continue the collaboration, because it has done them well, and me too.