SixTurnsNine is back with a new full album called 'Borders' and gee, I'm glad they thought of me, because I was wondering what happened to them and this album comes along and it happens to be really good! Perhaps you may recall their debut EP titled 'Spinning Numbers' from 2018 which I reviewed positively here. Well, if you didn't see that (go to the Chain D.L.K. archives and look it up) let me remind you that SixTurnsNine is Philip Akoto (bass guitar); Lutz Bauer (keys/programming/electronics); and Anja Trodler (vocals) formed in 2015 in Dusseldorf. Their music is minimal Non-Pop music inspired by Proto-Gothic, Trip-Hop and Post-Punk. There aren't many (are there any at all?) outfits doing this kind of music currently that I know of, so SixTurnsNine has a big leg up on the competition.

'Borders' contains 10 songs in about 40 minutes time. Within their sound pathos from the Proto-Goth era and beats reminiscent of the golden era of Trip-Hop in the late 1990s meet primal Post-Punk power and hippie vibes. Discreet industrial glitches and well-tempered dark ambient sound collages provide additional tension. This is very moody stuff, and comparisons to Portishead are inevitable. I think SixTurnsNine is much more in the trip hop spirit than Portishead of late because they really lost me at P3. No, SixTurnsNine doesn't really sound like Portishead, excepting the downtempo trip hop grooves, and Anja's uber-emotive voice.

I've listened to this album multiple times in a single session and at first, I thought songs sounded too similar. Subsequently I found much more going on with repeated listenings, from the opening Massive Attack kicks, phased sticks and drop bass of "Moments" I knew this was going to be great. Man, do they ever know how to milk a creepy vibe! These folks have improved substantially since 'Spinning Numbers' and there is waaaaaay more going in than you might imagine for a kind of minimal 3-piece band. You've got to love how Anja weaves some astounding melodic melodies through not terribly melodic instrumental backup. Akoto's bass may seem minimal but that is exactly what the music needs; no notes wasted, holding up the bottom end perfectly. As for Bauer, his atmospheric electronics and programming tickle all the right spots enhancing the SixTurnsNine sound to make it unique. I don't hear a Top 40 single on this album but why should there be? Cult music for the masses? Stranger things have happened. Highlty recommended!