motel void

Another single by the legendary German band The Notwist, titled Projectors, is a rather subdued affair. It opens with a gentle, almost sea-shanty-like mood — a duet carried mostly by acoustic instruments. Halfway through, the song unfolds into a beautifully stretched-out instrumental passage, adorned with delicate sonic details and subtle embellishments.

The entire track drifts in a lethargic, wistful atmosphere, and even the chorus feels beautifully resigned: “Like the sea holds the island, I’ll carry you.” Toward the end, the song gradually builds, echoing the early-2000s work of Sufjan Stevens — particularly the more melancholic moments from Illinois and Chicago.

Projectors isn’t a song that strikes you as instantly catchy. Instead, it slowly burrows under your skin, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself humming the chorus. This is exactly the kind of song I’d love to hear one day by a campfire in the woods.