Jan St. Werner, best known as one-half of the influential German electronic duo Mouse on Mars, has announced the upcoming release of his latest solo record. Titled Squares Will Fall, the project is scheduled to arrive on November 13 via Thrill Jockey. The album promises a star-studded list of contributors, including Sufjan Stevens, Justin Vernon, Beirut’s Zach Condon, and The National’s Ben Lanz.
The genesis of the title track, which features lyrics and vocals from Vernon, dates back to 2012. Werner originally composed a 30-minute version of the piece to mark a friend’s birthday. Over the subsequent decade, the composition evolved significantly, eventually serving as a foundational element for improvisations between Werner and Vernon during the sessions for the Mouse on Mars album Dimensional People at Vernon’s Wisconsin studio.
In 2021, Werner further explored the potential of “Squares Will Fall” by presenting it as a live performance piece at the Ural Industrial Biennial. The installation utilized speakers suspended from a circus ceiling, which were physically repositioned by performers to create a dynamic, evolving mix.
Collaborative Depth and Tracklist
The album’s broader scope includes tracks such as “Swamp Brains,” featuring vocalist Rosanne Rubino, and “Flötotto,” which showcases Stevens on the drum machine alongside Lanz on trombone and bass. This release follows Werner’s 2023 solo effort, Space Synthesis, continuing his exploration of experimental soundscapes.
Squares Will Fall tracklist:
- 01 Squares Will Fall
- 02 Swamp Brains
- 03 Flötotto
