ML Buch Shares New Song & Serotonin-Boosting Video

Danish musician ML Buch has unveiled a new, spontaneous release: an untitled track accompanied by a delightfully buoyant music video. The clip, which debuted online today, features a person – potentially Buch herself – skipping down a sun-drenched road while carrying a baby, punctuated by a cameo from a cheerfully wagging dog. It’s a dose of pure serotonin, and a welcome surprise for fans.

This unexpected offering arrives after Buch packaged a collection of tracks last year as Suntub Extras, an extension of her critically acclaimed 2023 album, Suntub. The new song feels like a continuation of the album’s sonic exploration, albeit in a more immediate and playful form.

A Five-Year Journey to Suntub

Suntub, released in October 2023 via 15 Love, wasn’t a quick project. According to Wikipedia, Buch spent five years crafting the album, a period she described as “the time it needed.” Much of that time was spent in relative isolation, living in the countryside by the ocean, a deliberate choice to foster the album’s unique sound. She self-produced and played nearly all the instruments herself, with assistance from a friend on drum recordings.

The album’s creation process was notably unconventional. Buch recorded vocals in her car and re-amped her guitar through the vehicle’s stereo system. She also utilized the acoustics of a Kalundborg swimming pool, sauna, and changing room for recording, demonstrating a resourceful and experimental approach to sound design. This willingness to embrace unusual recording environments clearly informs the album’s distinctive texture.

Critical Acclaim and a Rising Profile

Suntub garnered significant critical praise upon its release. Pitchfork awarded the album an 8.0/10 rating, with reviewer Philip Sherburne noting its shift towards “more abstract and corporeal themes” compared to Buch’s debut, Skinned (2020). Sherburne highlighted the album’s departure from overt electronic elements, replaced by “sparkling guitars, frictionless rock drumming, and vocal melodies rendered with airbrushed clarity.” Pitchfork’s full review elaborates on this dynamic, positioning Suntub as a work that balances accessibility with underlying complexity.

The album’s success has been recognized across numerous publications. As detailed on ML Buch’s official website, Suntub appeared on best-of-2023 lists from Wired, Rough Trade, Boomkat, and Politiken (Denmark), among others. It was also included in Paste Magazine’s “The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far” (October 2024) and Pitchfork’s equivalent list.

The Appeal of Buch’s Art-Pop Wilderness

ML Buch’s music occupies a fascinating space within the contemporary art-pop landscape. A profile in Pitchfork, “Step Inside ML Buch’s Digitized Art-Pop Wilderness”, delves into her unique creative process and the influences shaping her sound. The article emphasizes her ability to blend electronic and organic elements, creating a sonic world that is both meticulously crafted and emotionally resonant. This combination, coupled with her willingness to experiment with recording techniques, has clearly resonated with critics and audiences alike.

The new music video, with its simple yet captivating imagery, reinforces this sense of playful experimentation. It’s a visual extension of the album’s sonic textures – bright, airy, and subtly unsettling. The choice to feature a baby and a dog adds a layer of warmth and accessibility, contrasting with the more abstract elements of her work.

Beyond Suntub: What’s Next?

While ML Buch hasn’t announced any specific plans for a new album or tour, the release of this new track suggests a continued creative momentum. Given the five-year gestation period of Suntub, it’s unlikely we’ll see a full-length follow-up imminently. Still, the spontaneous nature of this release indicates a willingness to share music outside of traditional album cycles. Buch’s Bandcamp page (Suntub on Bandcamp) remains the primary hub for her music and merchandise, and fans can expect further updates and potential releases through that platform.

For now, the focus is on enjoying this unexpected gift – a sun-drenched, serotonin-boosting glimpse into the world of ML Buch. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding musical experiences are the ones that arrive without warning.