_in between (2018)

The images Kerim König creates—the fabric he weaves from piano, synthesizers, string arrangements, occasional vocal fragments, and sparse drum loops—are dense and warm, absorbing the listener and never trivial or cliché. (PrettyInNoise)

On Kerim König’s second studio album, in between, the focus is on liminal spaces: the silence that emerges between notes, the tension between acoustic and electronic sound, and the boundaries between art music and the popular. König has created delicate, floating compositions for piano, string quintet, vocals, and electronics, recorded at Teldex Studio Berlin.

Inspired by contemporary musicians such as Ólafur Arnalds, Jóhann Jóhannsson, and Max Richter, Kerim König weaves minimalist acoustic textures with electronic sounds in a way that feels organic, sensual, and intimate. He achieves this through unusual arrangements: alongside the Oriel Quartet is double bassist Jörg Potratz. Together, the quintet creates expansive, symphonic sound worlds, while pianist Mayuko Miyata adds delicate, clear-lined melodies that guide the listener through this landscape of acoustic and electronic sounds. Singer Teresa Bergman contributes occasional vocals that add subtle accents. The result is an album full of space and breadth, with compositions of striking emotional immediacy and depth.

The album was released on March 30th, 2017 via Hey!Classics by Hey!blau Records.