AIR Man JB Dunckel Releases Debut Piano Record Paranormal Musicality

by | Jan 22, 2024

JB Dunckel, a landmark figure in electronic music in both his solo career and as part of the French duo AIR, has released Paranormal Musicality, his first recording project as a pianist and composer. For Dunckel, who signed a recording contract with major classical music label Warner Classics last year, this album marks an important moment of personal reinvention.

JB Dunckel (Pascale Arnaud)

JB Dunckel (Pascale Arnaud)
JB Dunckel (Pascale Arnaud)

Paranormal Musicality embraces free, delicate, and ambitious forms of piano improvisation. Between 2019 and 2022, Jean-Benoît Dunckel carefully arranged a set of microphones around the piano in his studio and used them to record hundreds of spontaneous free performances. The 18 instrumental pieces on the album are formed from nearly 250 melodies captured in these sessions, with each work recorded in a single, unedited take.

Filled with images of a world where nature pulses and breathes, these works reflect everything the musician has ever written and loved. Primarily, the project celebrates the piano as an instrument that has accompanied Dunckel since his childhood. He formed a particularly close connection with his piano teacher from music school and continued to learn from her throughout his electronic career until she passed away in 2003. The very title of this album, Paranormal Musicality, is a tribute to her spirit and enduring influence on his music.

Check out the Andrei Proko-directed video for album opener Dolphin below:

AIR, the French musical duo Dunckel formed with Nicolas Godin, sold more than 4 million albums worldwide, with their best-known releases including their critically acclaimed debut album, Moon Safari (1998) and the score to Sofia Coppola’s cult classic, The Virgin Suicides (2000). These albums have since accumulated hundreds of millions of streams, with Moon Safari certified as Double Platinum in the UK and Playground Love racking up over 70 million streams on Spotify alone.

In 2024, Dunckel and Godin will embark on an anniversary tour celebrating 25 years since Moon Safari’s release, which includes a performance at London’s Coliseum on 24th March.

Paranormal Musicality is available now via Warner Classics on CD, LP and streaming platforms. Listen to the album HERE.

Phoenix Are Resplendent At Brixton

Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Wyatt Flores Brings Honest Heart And Sharp Style To London’s Roundhouse

On a crisp October night at London’s Roundhouse, Wyatt Flores stepped onto the stage to a roaring crowd, his name echoing around the vaulted room with a force that surprised even him. Supporting 49 Winchester on their UK run, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter might technically have been the opener, but from the reaction that greeted him, it was clear many had come just as much for Wyatt.

49 Winchester @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

From Russell County To Camden Town: 49 Winchester’s Triumphant Roundhouse Performance

Virginia’s 49 Winchester transformed Camden’s Roundhouse into a celebration of straight-from-the-heart Americana. Early in the set, frontman Isaac Gibson acknowledged to the audience that this was the band’s first sold-out night on the tour and the response from the crowd made clear how much the moment meant to everyone in the room.

Echobelly @ Electric Ballroom (Kalpesh Patel)

Echobelly Bring ON To Life At The Electric Ballroom – A Triumphant Celebration Of Britpop’s Enduring Spirit

It’s been three decades since Echobelly released ON, the Britpop-era gem that cemented them as one of the most vital and distinctive voices of the mid-90s. On Thursday night at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band — fronted by the magnetic Sonya Madan and founding guitarist Glenn Johansson — returned to Camden to celebrate that legacy, playing the album in full to a sold-out crowd that sang, swayed, and grinned their way through one of the most joyous nostalgia trips of the year.

The Kooks @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Not Naïve – The Kooks Are Always Where They Need To Be At London’s O2 Arena

Brighton Indie Pop darlings The Kooks played quite possibly the biggest and best show of their 20 year career at The O2 Arena on Saturday night. A night of nostalgia, of celebration and of cementing themselves as one of the best British bands formed in the 21st century.

Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory @ O2 Academy Birmingham (Nick Allan)

New Found Glory Never Miss, Only Hit At O2 Academy Birmingham

There’s something about a New Found Glory show that feels like coming home. No matter how many years have passed or how much life has changed, when those opening chords hit, you’re right back where it all started — shouting lyrics with your friends, sweaty, smiling, and completely lost in the moment.

Remember Monday @ Latitude Festival 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Remember Monday Return With New Single ‘More Than Ever’ Ahead Of Headline UK Tour

Country-pop trio Remember Monday continue their breakout year with the release of their new single More Than Ever, co-written with GRAMMY® winner and chart-topping artist Cian Ducrot. The track arrives just as the band kick off their highly anticipated What The Hell Just Happened? UK and Ireland headline tour, which culminates at London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Davina Michelle (Press)

Davina Michelle Launches Empowering New Era With ‘What A Woman’

Dutch pop sensation Davina Michelle has released her brand-new single What A Woman, an empowering anthem that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and individuality of women everywhere. The track arrives alongside a striking new music video, introducing a bold new chapter for one of the Netherlands’ most successful modern pop artists.

Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Share Video for ‘Ad Astra’ Featuring Graham Coxon

Northern Irish alt-rock stalwarts Ash have shared the video for their latest single Ad Astra, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, taken from their brand-new album of the same name — out now on Fierce Panda Records.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing