Opening 2024 with a dark and mystical new single, icons of the modern house scene Klangkarussell is setting an intention for the year. After their initial explosion thanks to ‘Sonnentanz (Sun Don’t Shine)’ all the way back in 2014, Klangkarussell has continued to expand and innovate their sound. Since September 2019 the duo have started to release on Bias Beach Records, an imprint of their own, whilst continuing to be sought-after DJs for their atmospheric set creation.
Their new single ‘Afterglow’, features GIVVEN, a serial collaborator for the pair, whose influence lends itself perfectly to the rich, spacey soundscape Klangkarussell create. The constant build of crisp percussion and radiant synth design grabs the listener and takes them on a journey of vast proportions. The interweaving bounce of melodic and rhythmic elements, paired with a ghostly vocal performance, creates a foreboding sense of presence, pushing through to the other side of the esoteric odyssey.
Klangkarussell shares an insight into the track, ”’Afterglow’ is the spiritual successor to ‘Ghostkeeper’. It continues the story of loss and grief, but this time a bit further along in the process. It’s about someone who has started to come to terms with their loss and is learning how to keep living in the ‘Afterglow’ of this person that they’ve left behind. In ‘Ghostkeeper’ the protagonist was completely lost in the grief and was struggling to live a full life in the wake of the loss. In ‘Afterglow’, they are still holding onto the memories of their person, but in a more positive way, as they learn to move on while still remembering.
In meteorology, afterglow refers to the last waves of beautiful pink/golden light left behind as the sun sets in the sky. In this song, afterglow represents holding onto the beautiful memories and parts of a person that you’ve left behind, and appreciating those things while still allowing the sun to set on your time together. It’s about the process of grieving but still living at the same time.”