{"title":"Hands in the Dark","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"ubers-jahr","title":"Ubers Jahr","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe German band \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchatterau \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereturns to Hands in the Dark with their latest release,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eÜbersJahr \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e('Throughout the Year'), which follows their acclaimed debut album from last year. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis sophomore effort, as its title implies, delves into the cyclical nature of time and the duality of the transient and the eternal unfolding of events. The album comprises 17 vignettes that reflect on the seasons, capturing their unique light and sounds, the passage of time, and the interplay of movement and stillness, as well as the perpetual transformation that leads to new beginnings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContinuing the approach of their inaugural album, the compositions are constructed around endless cassette loops, allowing the band to explore intricate textures and weave them into a surreal, dreamlike tapestry. In this release, the warmth and melancholy of the compositions have developed into a more intricate existence, showcasing a wider array of textures and sounds, while the songwriting exhibits greater maturity, inviting listeners into a more immersive and cohesive experience. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eÜbers Jahr\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etranscends being a simple collection of auditory moods; it serves as an intimate portrayal of the seasons that cyclically unfold, embodying a mystery that surpasses both memory and time. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hands in the Dark","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51271623573835,"sku":"2500252","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a2633153838_16.jpg?v=1739572793"},{"product_id":"cabanes","title":"Cabanes","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt has been almost seven years since the release of \u003cem\u003eAlpestres\u003c\/em\u003e, the impressive debut by Matthias Puech on Hands in the Dark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile that first experience took us on a mystical journey through fascinating fictional landscapes, \u003cem\u003eCabanes\u003c\/em\u003e lets its narrative unfold in a confined space: eight pieces each resembling small structures or makeshift shelters that, while enveloping and isolating the listener, remain open to their surroundings. These are not merely interiors; they are\u003cbr\u003ehandcrafted spaces through which we gain insights into the world. Yet they allow the light from the outside to seep in, reminding us of reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Puech, each composition has a distinctive two-part story that are both clear and intriguingly interconnected. The first one often revolves around the anecdotal and tangible aspects of instrumental\"play,\" showcasing a technical exploration with his tools, the discovery of sounds in a library, and the serendipitous encounters that inspired them. The second part, however, delves into the more elusive yet profound state of existence that the French artist experienced while engaging with these sounds, reflecting on the moments he listened and re-listened to them, ultimately deeming them worthy life companions. These two narratives, perhaps reshaped over time like distant memories, interact in ways that can either clash or complement each other, creating a lasting impact on the listening experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant aspect of the compositional process involves distancing oneself from these connections to creation, allowing for the rediscovery of a state of listening that is free from prior emotional influences—what one might call \"pure\"listening. This method enables the transformation of a sequence of events into a narrative that is independent of its original intent, resulting in a universal object. After spending considerable time with the attached pieces and attempting to induce a form of amnesia to reconstruct an artificial narrative, Matthias Puech has ultimately chosen to relinquish this pursuit. Thus, the album is aptly termed \u003cem\u003eCabanes\u003c\/em\u003e (“Huts”): fragile structures whose design clearly\u003cbr\u003ereflects the intention behind their creation, showcasing all the signs of considerate craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hands in the Dark","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51936368886091,"sku":"R3255-3755","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3925716157_16.jpg?v=1748679547"},{"product_id":"invisible-1","title":"Invisible","description":"\u003cp\u003eMike Majkowski makes his debut on Hands in the Dark Records with \u003cem\u003eInvisible\u003c\/em\u003e, a selection of six moody and mysterious pieces produced between 2019 and 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prolific Australian double bassist and music maker has been involved in a diverse array of contemporary, improvised and experimental music since the early 2000s. This time, the Berlin-based artist is venturing deeper into downtempo, meditative and hypnotic minimal electronic realms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile time and space are constraints, they also define our identities, creating inexplicable bonds with others flowing through shared moments and shared places. The state of being invisible obliterates these confines, allowing one to return to their pure essence. In this setting, Majkowski’s compositions display a discreet and profoundly emotional language characterised by vulnerability, darkness and confusion, while also embodying hope, soothing and resilience. A dim light, transcending love, space, memory and time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hands in the Dark","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53701938348363,"sku":"R6798-3256","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CS1118593-01A-BIG.jpg?v=1761153225"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/hands-in-the-dark-1.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}