Berlin based producer and live artist Ben Böhmer has risen through the Anjunadeep ranks to become a breakout star of the past 18 months, amassing almost 40 million streams, picking up BBC Radio 1 support from Annie Mac and Pete Tong, including an ‘Essential New Tune’, and being featured in Billboard’s ‘Ones To Watch’.
In addition to running his own fledgling label Tön Töpferei, Ben has put out singles on Anjunadeep and acclaimed remixes for Monolink and Jan Blomqvist, both of whom now feature on Ben’s debut LP.
Ben’s early releases on tastemaker labels Bade and Keller drew a comparison to revered producers Recondite and Francesco Tristano - dark tracks dotted with classical influence, featuring haunting piano lines and discordant strings. Not long afterward, Ben lost a close family member, and both his life and his music changed course.
Whilst overcoming this loss, Ben found solace in music.
The moody and reflective sounds of Ben’s early work made way for brighter and more melodic music, keeping the depth and texture, but changing the tone from darkness to light. Finding a sense of hope and optimism in uplifting emotions and euphoric melodies, Ben's debut album ‘Breathing’ marks the closing of a chapter in Ben’s life, the culmination of a period of heartache and recovery, and a coming of age as an artist.
Opening track ‘In Memoriam’ is an emotive tribute, blending powerful strings with stirring vocal samples. The title track and lead single ‘Breathing’ with collaborators Nils Hoffmann and Malou follows. A long-awaited highlight in Ben’s live shows over the past year, 'Breathing' layers Malou’s delicate voice above swung percussion and hard-hitting synths.
An avid collaborator, Ben is also joined on the album by two further breakout German stars, vocalist Monolink who features on ‘Black Hole’ and multi-instrumentalist Jan Blomqvist who lends his vocals to ‘Decade’.
Through the album, Ben explores a range of emotions, from the hopeful ‘Hunting’ with Jonah, to energetic instrumental ‘Maelstrom’ through to the hard-hitting ‘Wall Of Strings,’ which samples The Cinematic Orchestra.
Following the release of the album in November, Ben will be taking his live show on an extensive world tour - dates and information to be revealed in the coming months.
‘Breathing’ is available to pre-order now, digitally, on CD and on limited edition 2x12” white vinyl, due for release November 22.
Ben Böhmer 'Breathing' Album Tracklist
- Ben Böhmer - In Memoriam
- Ben Böhmer, Nils Hoffmann & Malou - Breathing
- Ben Böhmer feat. Monolink - Black Hole
- Ben Böhmer - Wall Of Strings
- Ben Böhmer feat. Jonah - Hunting
- Ben Böhmer - Maelstrom
- Ben Böhmer & Wood - Voyager 1
- Ben Böhmer feat. Jan Blomqvist - Decade
- Ben Böhmer feat. Malou - Lost In Mind
- Ben Böhmer & Timo Jahns - Cloud 21
- Ben Böhmer - Little Lights
Berlin’s Ben Böhmer announces debut album ‘Breathing’ out November 22 on Anjunadeep. Title track ‘Breathing’ with Nils Hoffmann and Malou, out today (Sept 17). Stream the ‘Breathing’ single here and on Soundcloud pre-order the LP here.