Inspired by a needledrop, Session Victim’s new album expertly fuses jazz, soul and electronic music
The German electronic duo, Session Victim have announced their forthcoming 11-track album titled Needledrop. To celebrate, they’ve released a new video for the lead single called “Made Me Fly.” The single is a collaboration with singer-songwriter Beth Hirsch (best known for her work with French duo Air on their 1998 album Moon Safari). The music video was created by animator Mike Scott and tells a computer game love story which was visually inspired by 80s and 90s point and click adventure games.
The two Germans (Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling) are no strangers to releasing quality long-format albums. Session Victim have been intent on delivering a characteristic body of work for uninterrupted play, and with Needledrop they have landed with significant inspiration from the lavishly textured and subtly layered jazz and soul compositions that found their way into late 90’s trip hop. Fusing an array of live instrumentation and organic groove through their intuitive sampling sessions.
With this album, Session Victim have focused their attention on a large arsenal of dusty influences across long forgotten vinyl. They’ve taken inspiration from 90’s computer games and the rediscovery of the playful sides of their production personalities.
Needledrop, as the name suggests, positions Session Victim among downtempo’s most quality works by delivering a genuine feeling of intuitiveness in its production approach; entirely natural in composition yet flawlessly precise in execution.
Album opener “Bad Weather Mates” sets the tone with a palette of retro soul and feel-good warmth of instrumental hip hop that continues right through to the track, “Still High.”
“Made Me Fly” adds some buttery vocals and jazzy beats to set you flying. The album shows an experienced restraint that avoids being lured back into the typical 4/4 dance floor formula. Rather, it takes this kind of electronic music to new heights with its fusion of jazz and deep house.
Pre-order the 11-track album Needledrop (out in March)
Session Victim x Beth Hirsch – Made Me Fly