The Ex-Schnipo barrier perfects discourse pop in simple language.
The synths beep like birds, the sequencer rattles like a bobby car, everything sounds as if it was programmed by a kindergarten group. This sound image seems so one-dimensional, even naïve, that you would never realize how sensitive and intimate Fritzi Ernst’s lyrics are. We already know the scissors that she opens wide on JO-JO from her previous band Schnipo Schranke and of course from her first solo album NO TERMINE, which was released in 2021. Who would think that someone would open their heart when sounds as colorful, bright and angular as Lego blocks are stacked and “fairy tale” rhymes with “couple” and “everything is clear”.
Because the alienation also happens in the texts, which deal with complex issues such as depression, self-doubt and gender roles, toxic relationships and domestic violence, but are still rough (“I’m jumping into shit”, “I’m so stupid”) or at least seem to be written in simple language: “It makes my chest thump-thump.” Finally, Ernst also feeds “Mad World” into her naivety machine, discovers the humor in the Tears For Fears classic and finds it in the text Motto for his own songs: “I find it kind of funny / I find it kind of sad.” Fritzi Ernst masterfully maintains the balance between desperate humor and fulfilling sadness.
You can find out which albums will be released in December 2024 via our monthly release list.