Percussion instruments meet modular synthesizers – what sounds like monochrome soundscapes on paper turns out to be quite a grab bag on the debut album of Berlin duo Bella Wakame. Their debut single “Toutpartout PT2”, released in 2023, still had a rather repetitive feel – a bubbling wave under which you never really knew what was lurking beneath the surface. Their self-titled debut album, on the other hand, is full of captivating melodies and beautiful electro-acoustic textures that are carelessly dissected over and over again.
Andi Haberl is responsible for the drums and sensory percussion – he is known as the drummer of The Notwist and has recently made a name for himself with his wonderfully warm and airy solo album SUN. Florian Zimmer brings his knack for modular synthesizers to the grooving trio Saroos. Together with Andreas Gerth, he creates expansive soundscapes as Driftmachine. Bella Wakame brings all these qualities together – and fuses them into something very unique.
Haberl and Zimmer also get input from the outside, such as Indra Dunis (Peaking Lights) or Spirit Fest, the collaboration between Japanese indie band Tenniscoats and musicians from the Notwist cosmos. Their favorite song “Nambei” is featured on the single release “Shadows of Nambei”.
