Reciprocity Nexus closes out his year with ‘Sonic Chocolate’, a warming, colourful swirl of guitars, brass and indie charm from the London-based creative Hendrik Kleinsmiede. Adding to a rich list of studio albums from the artist, the latest is open-hearted, leans into a classic pop spirit, but still has that quirky fingerprint of the Reciprocity Nexus sound.
There are fourteen tracks to embrace, with the record pouring itself into the many shades of love, with graceful backdrops and interesting instrument choices. Whether it’s aiming for power or reflection, grooving blues or a gentle lullaby, it remains a fantastic easy listen. Generous, concentrated and life-affirming from start to finish.
In Hendrik’s words, “‘Sonic Chocolate’ was deliberately conceived as a collection of only love songs. The reason was threefold: firstly, to explore the many dimensions of love, from classic romantic love to love for one’s children or for people now gone. Secondly, as a homage to the classic, original, ubiquitous subject of pop music, which, of course, is love.
Lastly, in reaction to its predecessor “Agnostic Hymns / Secular Psalms”, a concept album on the complex topic of agnosticism. I wanted to write about only one simple emotion, love, which, incidentally, might also comprise the only meaningful answer to the complex questions (about the meaning of life in a possibly godless universe) posed by its predecessor. In this sense, ‘Sonic Chocolate’ can be considered somewhat an answer to, and companion piece, for that record”
A solo vessel, but never a solitary one, Hendrik builds the world himself, but credits go to the inspirations around him. Making his first appearance as Reciprocity Nexus in 2021, he’s continued to thread together melodic brightness with stabs of experimentation and curiosity at the centre, alongside his long-running creative partnership The Third Space.
Check out the album:
