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Mar 21, 2014Hauschka’s ingenuity to rework his instrument into a entire orchestra is astounding. But his ability to avoid the usual, overtly romantic notions of forgotten cities and instead replace it with a portrait of refined desolation is equally impressive.
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Mar 12, 2014The album may have been inspired by empty urban voids and desolate space but the ideas and execution found on Abandoned City conversely indicate a depth and creative vigour that is close to reaching peak form.
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May 30, 2014Abandoned City is an enthralling collection of compositions, as invocative as any ambient, electronic recording.
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MojoMar 21, 2014The almost tangible sonic richness, like much here, redolent less of lyrical conservatoire pianism and more of a twitching avant-chamber orchestra co-conducted by Basil Kirchin and Harry Patch. [Apr 2014, p.95]
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Mar 18, 2014Abandoned Cities is gorgeous and disturbing and a bit chilling, like old photos hanging on walls about to be demolished, like memory, like loss, like loneliness experienced in the midst of family life.
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Mar 17, 2014These tracks are so striking that the album feels a bit top-loaded, but Abandoned City is still another fine example of Hauschka's combination of inspired musicianship and almost palpable emotion.
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Mar 14, 2014While being one of the most serious Hauschka albums yet, Bertelmann still managed to produce an album of experimental music that you could dance to, if you weren't too busy having your mind blown.
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UncutMar 12, 2014Inspired concept, superlative execution. [Apr 2014, p.76]
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Mar 12, 2014It’s a worldly record in many ways, and though the core tenet is of his personal feelings, it works just as well as you what you’d probably assume the record to be about--abandoned cities.
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Mar 25, 2014The detail is wonderful, ghostly and rich, but the whole would have benefited from a clearer, less meandering navigator.
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Mar 19, 2014At times sounding rough and foreboding, and at times gentle and contemplative, sometimes all within the same song, Abandoned City is a concept that is invigorating to listen to, and the push and pull between various strands might leave you, at times, feeling utterly and completely and totally breathless.
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Mar 17, 2014Hauschka’s bracing concept album.
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Mar 13, 2014Although its most inviting moments come tucked away in the calmer less darker IDM influenced tracks. Similar to laughter, this music doesn't necessarily have to mean anything in order to give us deep pleasure.
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Mar 12, 2014By allowing himself to trust his instrument and push himself to make bolder, more resonant statements, Hauschka has created the finest work of his career.
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Mar 20, 2014The compositions themselves aren’t quite as adventurous or diverse, but make a solid entry into a rich field.
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Mar 12, 2014Within its limits, the album is fairly diverse, though after so many records, the style might be wearing a bit thin.
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Q MagazineMar 14, 2014The concept might sound dry, but Bertelmann's kinetic approach always sound alive. [Apr 2014, p.110]
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Mar 14, 2014Ultimately, while Abandoned City’s atmospheric appropriations of various strands of dance music make for interesting listening, you might wish they appealed to instinct as much as they do the intellect.