"Lid" is a masterclass in organic, minimal techno music from Christian Löffler

Recorded in a log cabin on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea, Löffler's second album Mare was created almost entirely from self-recorded instruments and natural sounds, with microphones picking up noises from the cabin and the wilderness outside.

"Lid" is a prime example of this process; alongside a pulsing, simple beat, strings soar in and out of the track, while clicks and bangs from the cabin form another percussive layer. Löffler sighs a simple lyric on a loop to keep the minimal atmosphere, and the overall effect is that the track beautifully melds organic sounds to pristine and spacious techno.

We spoke to Löffler to find out more on the recording techniques behind Mare, and you can also hear "Lid" below.

The recording of the new LP seems to be a lot different to A Forest. Can you tell us what led to this more organic approach?

I think it is still in the same vibe. But it's true that it was recorded quite differently. Where A Forest sometimes felt a bit programmed, Mare is now mainly based on jam sessions. It is the way my production manner has changed. From very short loops to more a more open, longer structure, giving room to notes and sounds coming in only once in a song for example.

How do you go about combining all these field recordings or natural sounds into something coherent?

Organic sounds work very well with electronics. They complement each other getting lifted onto a new level. The clap sound in "Lid" is several self recorded wooden sounds layered.

Do you find that going away into the wilderness to record your music aids it, or influences the sound in a significant way? Electronic music isn't often recorded in such an isolated manner, I guess...

It is the way it works best for me. I just want to be for myself, not talking about if I found a good idea or if I finished something that could be interesting. It's me and my music. I do it for fun and not for somebody else.

Is there something which holds the record together thematically?

Not sure if listeners will recognise it but for me the overall feeling is about finding beauty in simple things, especially after going through something that was not easy.

What can you tell us about "Lid"? You're singing for the first time, is that right?

Not for the very first time. There was another track earlier this year called "Reubin". An outake from the album where I was singing as well. But this year music with me singing gets released for the first time. Singing is not new to me. I sing along while making music quite often and sometimes I find melodies like that, which I play on a Synth then for example. But here it made sense to use my voice as an instrument. It came very easily and natural.

What else can we expect from the album? You're working with another vocalist, right?

There are four tracks with Mohna as well. We already had a song together called 'Eleven' on the first album A Forest. Also the title track "Mare" is with her and probably my favourite from the record.

Mare will be out 7 October on Ki Records