In "Last Breath’s City Looks Kind Heart", clarinetist Michael Thieke and guitarist Beat Keller craft an auditory landscape where the boundaries between sound and silence blur, inviting listeners into a realm of introspective exploration. Released on May 4, 2025, by Ftarri Records, this album encapsulates the duo's commitment to experimental soundscapes, blending the organic warmth of Thieke's clarinet with the raw textures of Keller's feedback-driven electric guitar.

The album's six tracks - "Last", "Breath's", "City", "Looks", "Kind", and "Heart" - unfold as a cohesive suite, each piece seamlessly transitioning into the next, much like chapters in a contemplative novel. Recorded over two days in March 2024 at Berlin's Room Q-141 and later mixed and mastered by Keller in Winterthur, Switzerland, the production captures the immediacy of live improvisation while maintaining a deliberate structural integrity.

Thieke, known for his nuanced approach to timbre and microtonality, brings a delicate yet assertive presence to the collaboration. His clarinet lines often meander through subtle tonal shifts, creating a sense of movement that is both fluid and grounded. Keller's contribution, characterized by his innovative use of feedback and unconventional guitar techniques, adds layers of complexity and tension, challenging traditional harmonic frameworks and inviting listeners to engage with the music on a more visceral level.

The album's title, "Last Breath’s City Looks Kind Heart", evokes a poetic juxtaposition of finality and compassion, perhaps reflecting the transient nature of urban life and the enduring human spirit. This thematic duality resonates throughout the album, as moments of dissonance give way to passages of unexpected harmony, mirroring the complexities of contemporary existence.

For those seeking an immersive listening experience that defies easy categorization, this album offers a rich tapestry of sound that rewards attentive engagement. It's a testament to Thieke and Keller's shared vision and their ability to navigate the delicate balance between structure and spontaneity, creating music that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant.

"Last Breath’s City Looks Kind Heart" is available as a limited edition CD and digital download through Ftarri Records.