Kölsch Focuses on Family with Fifth Album, ‘I Talk To Water’

Produced in honor of Kölsch’s late father, I Talk To Water pulls on the heartstrings while healing the soul.

Over the years, Kölsch has produced incredible bodies of work on Kompakt, including 1977, 1983, 1989, and Now Here No Where. Today, though, he delivers the most meaningful effort of his life. It’s called I Talk To Water, and it unveils the deep-seated emotions that came along with the 2003 loss of his beloved father, Patrick Reilly, to brain cancer.

Patrick was a musician himself back in the ’60s and ’70s, so it’s easy to see why Kölsch is so ridiculously talented. His father was not only his mentor but his best friend.

Throughout the 12-track tribute, listeners get to hear actual recordings of Patrick as they witness Kölsch in the healing process. “Grape,” “Tell Me,” and “It Ends Where It Began” contain beautiful examples of Patrick’s instrumental and vocal artistry — it’s impossible to leave the experience without tears running down your cheeks. Kölsch uses his own musical prowess to express the pain in his heart, the acceptance in his soul, and his positive outlook, knowing the memories will always bring his Dad home.

The album opens with the uplifting title track featuring Perry Farrell. The expressive lyrics and vibrant melodies put listeners in good headspace, preparing them for the emotional rollercoaster to come. From here, Kölsch uses “Dreams” to paint a picture of his heartbreak before unfolding the inner workings of his spirit. While this tune can easily be enjoyed on the dancefloor, it’s best to be consumed on a solo side quest in order to resonate with the message truly.

Then, beginning with “Pet Sound” and moving through “Thoughts,” Kölsch places one foot in front of the other through dynamic soundscapes that overflow with strength and grace. Once we reach “Only Gets Better,” the healing process is sped up, fueled by lyrical medicine that reminds us there is light at the end of the tunnel. But remember when you were warned about the emotional rollercoaster? Get ready to come crashing down face-first with the heavy energy of “Implant.” In this track, you’ll hear a steady beep in the background; one can only link this with the images of Kölsch at the hospital bedside.

Just like the trio of offerings on which Patrick Reilly was featured, “Implant” burns deep and reminds us to hold our loved ones tight. We simply don’t know how much time we’ll have with them, after all. As the lump grows uncomfortably large in your throat, “Hands Of Time” and “An Amazing” arrive just in time to pull us from the grips of depression. These tracks brighten up the room and help the heart move on before the sweet pluck of Patrick’s guitar has the honor of closing out the album.

This is an album that each and every one of us can relate to. Let’s shower Kölsch with all the love and grab a copy of I Talk To Water via Kompakt. Stream the album on Spotify and tell us about a loved one you want to memorialize on X (formerly Twitter)!

Stream Kölsch – I Talk To Water on Spotify:

Kölsch – I Talk To Water – Tracklist:

I Talk To Water (with Perry Farrell)

Dreams

Grape (with Patrick Reilly)

Pet Sound

Khenpo

Thoughts

Only Gets Better

Implant

Hand Of Time

Tell Me (with Patrick Reilly)

An Amazing

It Ends Where It Began (with Patrick Reilly)

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