Hello dear readers it has been a while since we featured our go to solace from everything that goes on in the world, Music. Today’s post is all about the interesting and rather talented Peter Zirbs. A music genre that I personally feel we haven’t discussed much here at Our Muchness Guide before and you guys I am here for it! So fasten your seatbelts because we are about to introduce you to an Austrian artist who has gripped our attention and made us listen to his music in great detail..
A Viennese multi instrumentalist, producer and writer, Peter Zirbs gained international recognition in 2018 with his acclaimed solo album debut “What If We Don’t Exist?” and has returned with his new EP “On A Beautiful Day” which includes Locked In (with vocals by ex-Archive frontman Craig Walker) and the new single Wasted featuring singer/songwriter Loretta Who. His previous releases Firmament (a blend of classical piano and synth) and Belgrade (which Zirbs described as just a connecting piece while he worked on new music) are well worth a listen to really appreciate what Zirbs can create. Zirbs has also released music under multiple pseudonyms and on several labels as part of the Viennese techno scene of the 1990s, scored films and also produced and remixed various artists’ work. Not afraid of experimentation, Peter has proven his ability to switch between minimal music and his early music roots while he breaks down genre boundaries and earning success with his energetic productions and garnering considerable airplay across the German-speaking world with his electronic music collective konsorten. And when a person’s debut album is sonically compared to Bowie’s Low you know you’re in for a real treat.
His new EP is released August 28th and we, here at Our Muchness Guide, were delighted to have the opportunity to listen to something new and unique after being quiet for so long and review the EP. If you like what we have to say, Peter’s personal website and Instagram are right here so you can find more of his tracks for yourself. So, let’s jump right into it, shall we?
On A Beautiful Day – EP Review
E: Personally, I took the opportunity to listen to Zirbs’ new EP while I was gaming and found myself drawn in by the atmosphere that these songs created which I found to be calm and relaxing (you may not agree with me). I really enjoyed the EP as a whole and I felt that tracks like ‘Wasted’, ‘On A Beautiful Day’ and ‘Locked In’ had a more pronounced electronic feel to them. The tracks with vocals seem to have more of an emphasis on electronic influences while tracks without lyrics seem to be focused on creating atmosphere and I quite like the difference between the two. The EP’s electronic quality is a big departure from everything that I’ve been listening to lately and was a welcome change and really refreshing and, as our first international act, I was very excited to be given a chance to talk about these tracks. I felt that the tracks were a blend of electronic, synths and instrumentals that soothes the soul and makes for a very enjoyable listening experience even though the tracks are nearly all uptempo. I will say that if you like this EP and have never heard Zirbs earlier releases they are definitely well worth going back and listening to. I will admit that these tracks will definitely have a permanent home on my gaming playlist and it shows how capable Zirbs is of adding subtly to moments, even within his own music, without distracting from the key focus which can be seen throughout his tracks.
I will admit that I don’t often listen to music that could be considered similar to Peter’s but I found myself enjoying this introduction to the genre and the EP showcases how effectively classical instrumentation can be utilized in electronic tracks without seeming out of place. I will say that of all the tracks on the EP, Locked In was the track that grabbed my attention most. Not only is the track oddly prophetic because it was written last year and can be essentially used as a manual by most of the world during the pandemic this year, it is also very honest in its lyrics.
N: The EP is entitled ‘On A Beautiful Day’ and collectively the songs sum up the highs and lows of life.‘On A Beautiful Day’ is broken down perfectly between instrumental masterpieces that will keep you dancing away until the very last beat and gripping lyrical moments that sum up what has been going on in the world in recent months and how they affect one’s innermost thoughts; such as in ‘Intensive Care Unit’. I’m (Niamh) personally looking forward to sending this EP link to my fellow #BlockRockinCrew peeps to get their thoughts on the 90’s techno influence meets 2020 world vibes.
The first song on the EP is ‘Wasted’ featuring Loretta Who. This song is by far my favourite on the EP lyrically and is the first single that will be released off of the EP which is coming out on August 28th also! The soft vocals from Loretta Who and the harsh contrast of the backing music compliment each other fantastically to back a serious punch of influence on the listener. ‘Wasted’ sums up a rather solemn ode to a feeling of not being okay and literally “Wasted”.
The Grand Blackout is up next and pays tribute to the instrumental techno works of the 90’s and Zirbs previous releases in my opinion. At 4.29 minutes it is the first song on the EP that has no lyrics to aid you in understanding the trip that you will go on while listening to ‘The Grand Blackout’. From the title I was waiting for elements of doom and gloom to over power the mix but, throughout the track itself you may be just like me and feel an anxious element of hope and longing to get through the challenges that face you and manifest in your mind while listening to this track. I enjoy how this one suddenly ends.
‘Locked In’ ft. Craig Walker reminds me of something that I really can’t put my finger on it but, in a good way. It wouldn’t be out of place on a TV Series or Movie Soundtrack. Overall, lyrically and musically, this song is my favourite on the EP. It helps to sum up the madness in the world right now as we all venture through a journey of learning from the world around us. Also it is a bop! This is the one that I was bopping (dancing along) to from the opening sequence.
Next is the title track of the EP ‘On A Beautiful Day’ and I think it shows what Peter’s does best! This one I hope sees its day in clubs during techno sets across Europe! It’s message is simple and easy to get invovled in! It also is fun to dance to!
Personally for me the last song on the EP – ‘Intensive Care Unit‘ gave me mixed emotions when trying to some up the song. On one hand the beginning of the song hits you with the harsh realities of recent months. While, on the other hand, you are transported into a different dimension instrumentally after the opening with your head bopping along with the beat.
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