On July 9th, the German composer and producer Ben Böhmer released “Hiding” a three track single with exciting collaborators, including the renowned singer Lykke Li and emerging talents JONAH and Felix Raphael. The songs feature shimmering pads that flood the stereo signal with wavering soundscapes. Beneath these, there are joyous rhythms with interesting sound design. Everything is crafted in a way that is attractive, shiny, and detailed while emphasizing the guests' vocals. Many of the tracks have a UK pop happiness feel, which I believe would be an interesting experience for optimistic listeners. It also showcases production decisions more akin to the techno and hip-hop scenes. The vocals make interesting but moderated counterpoints with the synths throughout, giving it a vintage electronica feel.

The most notable featured artist is Lykke Li, with the song “Hiding,” a collaboration that shook the internet, as it is her first original collaboration since 2019. In the past, Lykke has collaborated with heavyweights such as Drake, Skrillex, and Mark Ronson, and has been praised by numerous indie music critics and entities. Ben Böhmer commented on "Hiding," saying, “It’s a song that I’ve always wanted to write.”

To make everything even more exciting, "Hiding" is just a sneak peek of the forthcoming album “Bloom,” which is set to be released on September 27th. Who knows, maybe the album will feature more fascinating collaborations, including more with Lykke.

Ben has been caught in a whirlwind of live shows and a level of fame that feels overwhelming. He has expressed to the press that this persona wasn't him, and "Bloom" represents a fresh start in a direction that feels more authentic to him.

I believe this album is perfect for both casual and attentive listeners, as it has a lighthearted energy but also offers a lot of details to appreciate. 

You can listen to Hiding or pre-order “Bloom” here.

Author: Martín Cacho

Martín is a video game composer, producer and writer from Sonora, México.