Annie Taylor

In the organizer's words:

New album "Out of Scale" by Annie Taylor - Never stop dreaming

The songs just had to come out. Between the rock band's US tour and concerts in Europe, Annie Taylor recorded their third album. It is called "Out of Scale" and is characterized by intense feelings, chaotic relationships and big dreams. Sometimes singer Gini Jungi suffers, is hurt and fights, sometimes her voice floats longingly over Tobias Arn's guitar runs. And when Michael Mutter's bass and Daniel Bachmann's drums kick in, it is clear that each of these new songs can get the audience dancing.

The band is known for their live shows, having met in a bar in the Swiss mountains after snowboarding and having played at SXSW, the iconic radio station KEXP in Seattle, the Levitation Festival in Austin, the Great Escape and the Reeperbahn Festival.

On "Out of Scale", Annie Taylor have further developed their sound. The first album "Sweet Mortality" made the band internationally famous seemingly out of nowhere. They recorded the second, "Inner Smile", in England; it was rougher, more honest.

And now they have honed their style once again. Each song sounds different and yet must inevitably follow on from the next. Distorted guitar and self-empowering rage-grunge are followed by repetitive psychedelia - and then a thoughtful song, quiet almost: somewhere between Courtney Barnett and Wet Leg.

Much of the new music was created in the summer, when Zurich was almost empty because everyone was away on vacation. Singer Gini Jungi remembers the taste of sun cream and salt on her skin. Of summer dresses. And endless time to think. Sometimes it felt good, when a night unfolded without a plan, in limbo, and she still felt a stark clarity. But sometimes she also sat on her carpet in the apartment, felt alone, played the guitar, felt loss, but also gratitude.

At festivals, on long bus rides and at late shows, the band members were very close. They were able to empathize with singer Gini Jungi's lyrics almost seamlessly and set them to music together.

Many of the songs on "Out of Scale" are about friendships and love relationships. Feeling safe, being euphoric because a person shows you the beauty of the world. Memories of a time when everything was good. Then the doubts come. Something is no longer right. "I am not your answer". I am not your answer. "And I am not your cure". And I am not your cure.

Songs like "The Ocean" or "Something ain't right" find melodies for this mood, this mix of desire, longing and comfort. Sometimes Gini Jungi's voice is in the background and reduced, then, suddenly, the fog lifts and she is very close.

With the release of the new album, the band switches to the Clouds Hill label. Bassist Josip Tijan will also be joining Annie Taylor and bringing in fresh momentum. The visual concept was designed by Kevin Högger, Studio Végété and Quentin Lacombe. The mix of contemporary graphic design, experimental art and pop aesthetics reflects the friction and openness that characterizes the album.

Doing your own thing, even if it is perhaps not the direct way, "out of scale", outside of conformist standards - that is the message that the album carries and that is already in the band's name. Annie Edson Taylor was a teacher from the USA who led a troubled life and caused trouble. In 1901, she was the first person to plunge down Niagara Falls in a barrel. She was only injured at the back of her head.

Annie Taylor's new songs are touching because they are very raw and intimate. Because they also give difficult times the space they deserve. And because they allow for new beginnings. The opener "Alligator" immediately wakes you up, sounds like everything is at stake in the band room and shows that after the struggle often comes the realization: I don't have to make myself small, break down, bend over. I can change the situation myself.

"Out of Scale" motivates you to never stop dreaming. To reinvent yourself again and again. And to stand up to stagnation.