For more than a decade now, German composer, songwriter and experimental musician Volker Bertlemann (aka Hauschka) has been exploring different ways in which to get new sounds out of his Bechstein grand upright piano. This technique (known as "prepared piano") involves resting items on the piano strings to alter the sounds or using effects such as delay, distortion and echo. The songs on this new album are intended to "awaken the loneliness and unattainable romance of timeless, unfamiliar places" and bear the names of actual vacant cities. We are longtime fans here at Hype Machine HQ, and are very happy to bring you this preview of the album a week before its release.