SIMON POPP — Trio LP

Simon Popp – Trio LP Squama’s SQM036S arrives as a 12-inch vinyl that brings the label’s exploratory spirit to a new level. The fourth album from Simon Popp, titled Trio, unites three drummers—Flurin Mück, Sebastian Wolfgruber and Popp himself—in a concept that mirrors the Japanese art of Kintsugi, celebrating the beauty of cracks filled with gold. The release sits between the earlier Io Pur Respiro LP (SQM037) and the later Staircase Made of Rope (LP) (SQM043), anchoring a period of collaborative experiments on the Squama roster. The opening side opens with “Hain”, a piece that feels like a sunrise over a communal field, its title evoking an open landscape that sets a warm, inviting tone. “OiOOiOiiOi” follows, its rhythmic pattern suggesting a playful call-and-response that bridges the first track’s spaciousness with a more percussive focus. The third cut, “High High Low”, offers a contrast, dropping the energy into a more restrained groove that hints at the album’s underlying theme of balance between elevation and grounding. “Birkenschlag” continues the dialogue, its title recalling the striking of birch wood and reinforcing the record’s emphasis on tactile rhythm. The side closes with “Awen”, a brief, luminous interlude that feels like a moment of quiet reflection before the flip. Side B begins with “Wallride”, a short, kinetic track that propels the listener forward, ideal for setting momentum in a set. “Powidl” follows, its name suggesting a sweet, earthy flavor that translates into a warm, enveloping groove. “Nonnegative” introduces a subtle shift, its title hinting at an optimistic restraint that keeps the flow steady without over-reaching. “Eggplant” adds a darker hue, a texture that deepens the mood while maintaining the record’s cohesive pulse. “Derecho” picks up speed, its name evoking a swift, sweeping wind that translates into a driving rhythm suited for peak-time moments. The record concludes with “Before All Else”, an expansive closing piece that gathers the album’s disparate threads into a final, unifying statement. Within Simon Popp’s recent output, Trio follows two earlier 12-inch releases on Squama (catalogues SQM036 and SQM036G, both from 2025). Those earlier pressings introduced the collaborative framework that is now fully realized on this silver-pressed LP. The presence of three distinct drummers across the tracks underscores Popp’s ongoing interest in merging divergent temperaments into a single expressive instrument, a concept that has become a hallmark of his recent work. For DJs, the record offers a palette of rhythmic textures that can be threaded into a variety of set contexts. The A-side tracks provide warm, melodic entry points suitable for opening or early-night slots, while the B-side’s tighter, more propulsive pieces lend themselves to mid-set peaks or transitions that demand a subtle yet insistent groove. Collectors will appreciate the silver-vinyl presentation, which complements the album’s thematic focus on visible imperfection and shared humanity. The release is pressed on 12-inch vinyl, presented in a silver finish that mirrors the album’s conceptual embrace of gold-filled cracks. Its tactile qualities invite repeated listening and careful needle work, rewarding both DJs and home listeners with a nuanced sonic experience. Simon Popp – Trio LP, Squama, catalogue SQM036S, 12-inch vinyl, 11 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Simon Popp – Hain 00 03:42 A2. Simon Popp – OiOOiOiiOi 00 03:21 A3. Simon Popp – High High Low 00 02:20 A4. Simon Popp – Birkenschlag 00 03:53 A5. Simon Popp – Awen 00 02:33 B1. Simon Popp – Wallride 00 02:07 B2. Simon Popp – Powidl 00 03:07 B3. Simon Popp – Nonnegative 00 03:47 B4. Simon Popp – Eggplant 00 02:51 B5. Simon Popp – Derecho 00 03:52 B6. Simon Popp – Before All Else 00 04:18