This is Anna (The Unused Word). Welcome to my "debut" album as a solo producer. I have been talking, forgetting and thinking again about this release since 2013. The title has always been "Undanger"; strange how things can become more fitting with every passing year.
This is not a gimmicky release. Instead it's warm, genuine, and it comes from the heart. It's fall music, so I'm glad I managed to finish it in time for this colourful season (in the Northern hemisphere where I am, at least). Musically, I kind of went back to my roots for some of the songs, and I integrated my Fender Rhodes piano a lot more again. It's become a rather soft body of work; the sharpest, most painful edges and corners are probably to be expected in the lyrics.
I think spending time in various lockdowns has brought many people to another level of questioning various beliefs and commitments. The climate crisis is one of those things we had a lot of time to think about. Capitalist mechanisms like exploitation through greed, but also vanity and non-community-oriented thinking, have been burdening us as a global society for centuries. While we ourselves only live for a part of this long stretch, there is a lot to be questioned and a lot has been building and become normal that would need to be dismantled and reorganized in order to make the future livable for people who have no choice in being born after us.
My long-standing dislike of PR and advertising, as well as seeing how many fellow artists suffer under the pressure of always creating something empty-but-presentable to remain seen by algorithms, is the reason why I did not put a lot of effort into drumming up interest. Instead of paying for fake plays, I approached a few people and wrote them directly and personally. This album is also a bit of an experiment to me: can music reach the surface without firing up an insane advertising machinery? I am hoping so, because that would mean that music is still somehow more important than the PR product. Instead of going the typical "must" way of having to make a video (where people usually aren't nearly paid enough), getting new press pictures taken, etc., I need to find out if "simply making music" is in the least attainable somehow. Which is why, if anything, this album relies almost exclusively on spreading by word of mouth. I'm all for that, because it includes people actively making a choice, and it (hopefully) happens naturally. If you like it and you know someone who might enjoy it as well, please pass it on if you feel like it. Thank you.
On this album, I did most things myself. It was recorded at home. I wrote all the songs (or freestyled them, which is why the foundling interludes are only sketches), I wrote the lyrics, I recorded and then mixed everything. I even drew the cover artwork by hand. The only other people who were involved in finishing this record were my dear friend Hannes Oberauer on the bass on "of all mankind is missing"; DJ Testa who is responsible for the beautiful mastering; and both my boyfriend J. and my dear friend firnwald who spent their time and focus on helping me with Photoshop for the artwork and the font. My warmest thanks to all of you! I really appreciated your time, support and expertise.
I can't tell you how happy I am to have finally finished this album. I am very content with the outcome, and I particularly enjoyed not stressing out over deadlines and strategies leading up to the release date.
Now all that's left to say is that I hope you're enjoying what I created for you. I hope you'll have a wonderful listening session. If you like what you hear, please feel free (but never pressured) to pass it on and share it with others, or to donate. You'll always be able to stream it for free if you don't feel like buying it / donating.
Thank you,
best of luck,
Anna
credits
released October 21, 2021
Composition, Lyrics, Production & Recording, Mixdown: The Unused Word
All vocals sung & instruments played by The Unused Word, except for Hannes Oberauer (Maj Min) on the bass on track 6 ("of all mankind is missing").
Mastering: DJ Testa of Duzz Down San Records.
Cover artwork: The Unused Word (hand drawing, painting), with layouting help from firnwald and J.
Finding inspiration in trip-hop and spiritual jazz, UK producer Scott Xylo's psychedelic new EP is a dreamy meditation on freedom. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 7, 2020