Projekt Ich - 2025 - A Beautiful Day in Autumn

(60:36; Echozone)






















Track list:
1. Don't Wake Up 3:52
2. Sister feat. Conscience 4:00
3. Say It and Stay with Me 4:23
4. Paméla Amen 4:16
5. Heart of Gold 3:06
6. Der Westliche Mann 3:51
7. Dad 3:34
8. Peace Is a Wonder 4:38
9. Through the Windows 3:12
10. Leave My Dreams 4:00
11. Mom 4:02
12. Kosmonaut 4:32
13. An Angel on Earth 3:52
14. In the Fire 4:56
15. A Beautiful Day in Autumn 4:22

Line-up:
Projekt Ich - vocals, instruments
with:
Alex Braun
Frecuencias Ocultas 
Lisa Pung
Maxi
Goudi
Madil Hardis 
Ottoextrem
Annabelle 
Conscience 
Arsine Tibé 
Stian Shiver 
Suzanne Letting 
Manuel Trabucco - saxophones, horns


German venture Projekt Ich is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Ulf Möller, and over the past 15 years or so he has released a number of albums under this moniker. The most recent of these is the album "A Beautiful Day in Autumn", which was issued through German label Echozone in the fall of 2025.

To my ears it is a rather retro-oriented affair we are dealing with in this case, with the 1980's firmly set in the sights and synth pop being the main expression of choice. The greater majority of the compositions revolve around calm vocals, a distinct synth bass presence, a dominant synthesizer motif and a liberal amount of saxophone overlays that on some occasions can be almost an ever present element. Pleasant and relaxing music of the kind that will feel familiar sounding to those with a more passionate interest in the synth pop excursions from sometime around 1985.

We do get some cuts that follow slightly different patterns though. With some of the more energetic songs closing in on the kind of music Erasure made back towards the end of the 1980's, but also with songs a bit more introverted and darker in sound and mood, at times with a gentle melancholic elements present for those songs that reminded me ever so slightly of a band like a-ha. There are also songs where the saxophone is left behind for a bit, as well as a small handful of tunes where electric guitar textures are brought in to expand the arrangements.

We also get a small handful of songs that take a step or two away from the synth pop in general, and rather hone in on a more generic variety of 80's pop music. Maintaining the sound and spirit of the era, but with a lesser focus on synthesizers. On one occasion also making use of the acoustic guitar as the main, main and dominant instrument.

From my point of view this is a pleasant creation, easily and smoothly moving along with a few side steps into more expressive or different sounding landscapes that caters for variety as well as a little bit of a taste of the unexpected. While not an album I'd describe as being exceptional in any department, for those with a more passionate interest for mid 80's synth pop in general and a more minimalist take on that style from that era in particular this should be a pleasant and pleasing experience.

Olav M. Björnsen, February 2026

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ProjektIchMusik/
https://www.echozone.de/

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