Hidden Shoal Recordings has announced the release of the first single taken from the soon to be re-released debut album by German cinematic pop outfit Sankt Otten.

Sankt Otten’s latest single, the brooding filmic pop that is ‘Fernfahrer’, also happens to be one of their earliest works. Taken from the upcoming re-release of their debut album Eine Kleine Traurigkeit (originally released in 2000), ‘Fernfahrer’ demonstrates that the band had hit upon their distinctive winning formula from the start: hypnotic beats, hovering guitars and restrained strings all coated in an immersive, noir atmosphere. As a point of difference to much of Sankt Otten’s latter output ‘Fernfahrer’ features a wonderfully dreamy German-language vocal track that filters a kind of downbeat hopefulness throughout the brooding noir streetscape of the song. ‘Fernfahrer’ is low-key yet immediately accessible, smoky yet crystal-clear, otherworldly yet distinctly familiar. This is musical terrain that Sankt Otten have made their very own.

‘Fernfahrer’ is now available from the Hidden Shoal Recordings Store. The single will be available for free download until the 23rd of September, when the Sankt Otten album Eine Kleine Traurigkeit is released.

Sankt Otten - Fernfahrer Sankt Otten - Fernfahrer

Tune into WRSU FM, Rutgers Radio, to hear tracks from recent Hidden Shoal releases Sankt Otten’s Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder and Ghost In The Water’s Tooth. If you live in New Jersey, spin your dial to 88.7 FM, or if you live elsewhere, stream the station via the WRSU website. Either way, you’re guaranteed to enjoy some excellent programming, with more Hidden Shoal releases to be featured in the future.

Slow Dancing Society’s first two albums, The Sound Of Lights When Dim and The Slow And Steady Winter, are currently in Tonevendor’s top 10 bestselling CDs. Sankt Otten’s two albums, Monocle’s Outer Sunset and Ghost In The Water’s Tooth are also available on CD from Tonevendor, and on CD and mp3 from the HSR Store.

The excellent new British web based ambient and chillout radio station Fluid Radio will be presenting an exclusive three hour Hidden Shoal Recordings showcase this Saturday 19th July @ 7pm (GMT-UK). Not only will you hear a gorgeous mix of your favourite and perhaps lesser known HSR releases but the showcase will also be featuring a selection of tracks from the soon to be released Slow Dancing Society album Priest Lake Circa ‘88. This will be the first public airing of the new album apart from the single A Warm Glow which is still available for free download until the album is officially released next week.

Be sure to listen in to what is sure to be a luscious sonic adventure tomorrow night and also check out the rest of Fluid Radio’s awesome programming.

Slow Dancing Society - A Warm Glow Slow Dancing Society - A Warm Glow