Up

Released in 2015, Up marks a significant moment in Nils Wülker's discography where his transition from a traditional jazz trumpeter to a cross-genre innovator reached full maturity. Recorded with a high-fidelity focus, the album features a notable shift toward pop-influenced structures, including guest vocalists that contrast with Wülker's lyrical trumpet playing. The track 'Reading Kafka on the Shore' highlights the literary and cinematic influences that permeate the writing. Critically, the album was noted for its 'Easy Listening' appeal without sacrificing technical proficiency, a balance that has made Wülker a leading figure in the European nu jazz scene. The production is characterized by a 'clean' aesthetic, utilizing digital clarity and layered synths to create a sound that is both expansive and intimate. It stands as one of his most commercially successful and stylistically cohesive works, defining the 'urban night' sound he is associated with.