Teho Teardo and Blixa Bargeld – Nerissimo

In one respect, the second long-player from Einstürzende Neubauten's Bargeld and underground-rocker-turned-soundtrack-composer Teardo sounds exactly as expected; chilly, intelligent, contemplative. But it’s also a work that understands the impervious nature of colour; a measured, minimalistic record it may be, former Bad Seed Bargeld’s enunciation flat and septic, but its philosophically playful nature defies its title – Italian for ‘the blackest’, as polymaths know.

Flitting between German and English as well as Italian, each lyric floats above its musical framework – the laconic strings of The Empty Boat and Nirgendheim; expressive clarinet on Animelle – all the while wafting loose patterns and enigmatic, toying statements; Ulgæ even manages to relocate its toyshop soundtrack drama to a Petri dish. And while a little too knowing for some, Nerissimo stands as a fascinating example of two artists in full control, unashamed to lean towards the cerebral without turning the casual listener off. “Hope should be a controlled substance,” deadpans Blixa on DHX2. Here, it very much is. [Duncan Harman]