Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon returns with their third studio album, IN THESE DYING TIMES, an intense exploration of personal fears, self-discovery, and societal rifts. But are we prepared to face the reality they present, or will we allow despair to define our narrative?
A Journey of Personal Evolution and Release
Released on October 11, 2024, via Unique Records, IN THESE DYING TIMES marks a pivotal moment for the German-Turkish singer and her band. Köcher, who began writing music at 14 to cope with insecurities and fear of rejection, reveals, “Music became my voice for things I was afraid to speak about.” Now 29, she reflects on how music has continued to evolve as both her platform and personal therapy.
After a five-year gap since their last release, Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon has reformed with a renewed artistic direction. During this hiatus, the band redefined their sound through live shows, including performances at the notable WDR Rockpalast, and Köcher used this time to confront her own struggles, especially in her songwriting. “Therapy helped me let go of my fears, making my lyrics more authentic and unguarded. This release felt like a kind of superpower,” she shares.
Tracks that Speak to Shared Experience and Emotional Growth
The album’s singles, such as ‘Seventeen’, dive into the pain of unrequited love and self-doubt, themes that resonate deeply with listeners, especially young women. Legendary radio host Klaus Fiehe praised ‘Seventeen’ on 1LIVE, calling it one of the band’s finest. In Köcher’s words, “I want to show that you can grow through these experiences, that we’re never truly alone.”
IN THESE DYING TIMES is packed with tracks that merge melancholy with a sense of strength. The album’s themes mirror global unrest and inner turmoil, yet remain deeply personal. “I’ve put everything I had into this album, from energy to emotion,” Köcher notes, emphasizing the artistic satisfaction she’s found in this project. Dream pop, psychedelic influences, and disco rhythms flow together, creating a soundscape that invites listeners to reflect yet not surrender to the darkness of the times.
Crafting a Sonic Experience That Echoes Our Present and Future
Recorded at Maarweg Studios, IN THESE DYING TIMES serves as a musical canvas capturing today’s social upheaval and personal battles. Köcher and her band skillfully juxtapose sounds that reflect societal rifts with lyrics that promote resilience and self-determination. The title track ‘In These Dying Times’ questions modern divides and the manipulation of truth, posing a challenge to those in power. “Do you think you can tell the truth from the lies?” Köcher asks, addressing issues from war to environmental crises.
Other Standout Tracks: Inviting Listeners on a Journey of Exploration
- ‘Maybe I’m A Lemon’ explores identity through a mix of sweet and bitter symbolism, with Köcher’s guitar layered over a gritty bass synth, creating an instrumental escape that feels simultaneously introspective and engaging.
- ‘Sleepless Strangers‘ combines dream pop and ’60s influences, offering a cinematic feel inspired by French cinema and iconic figures like Françoise Hardy. Filmed with her childhood camera, Köcher’s self-directed music video creates a nostalgic, surreal atmosphere that echoes the song’s lyrical content.
- ‘Living In A Bad Place’, featuring lyrics by Irish poet Michael Cummins, tackles depression in a way that balances heavy emotion with upbeat, danceable melodies. The track’s intensity grows into a psychedelic instrumental passage, allowing listeners to lose themselves in a shared experience of release.
- ‘The Trip’ opens the B-Side of the record, blending ethereal vocals and distorted guitar rhythms with layers of Mellotron brass, painting a nocturnal, haunting soundscape that stands as one of the album’s most psychedelic pieces.
With IN THESE DYING TIMES, Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon brings forth a powerful, personal, and socially aware work, inviting listeners to confront their inner fears and societal divisions. This album is not just music but a call to embrace resilience, challenge injustice, and find solace in self-expression. Through its contrasts and dynamic range, the album delivers an experience as enlightening as it is haunting, asking us all: Are we ready to move beyond despair?