Streichelfisch

Released in 2005, Streichelfisch represents the earliest phase of Nils Frahm's recording career, long before his association with Erased Tapes or the 'Piano Day' movement. At this stage, Frahm was deeply immersed in the electronic music scene of Berlin, and this album reflects the influence of the glitch and IDM movements of that era. Unlike his later work which centers on the physical mechanics of the piano, Streichelfisch is primarily a laptop-based production. It utilizes micro-sampling, granular synthesis, and digital percussion to create a soundscape that is both abstract and melodic. Critical reception at the time was limited but positive, noting Frahm's ability to bring a sense of 'soul' to the often sterile world of glitch music. The album serves as a crucial bridge between the experimental electronic music of the late 90s and the neoclassical explosion of the 2010s, showing that Frahm's interest in texture and atmosphere was present from the very beginning, regardless of the instruments used.