Following in the wake of Faithful Johannes’ Promotional Tokens EP at the start of 2023, as

well as a sprinkling of singles that emerged in the months after, the critically acclaimed

Durham rapper now returns to the fore with his third album. The House at Night is a delicate

study of childhood memories, familial relationships and parental angst, that places Johannes’

poetic forte at the front and centre of the North East hip hop scene.

 

Crafted within an almost Lynchian framework, the album delves into a myriad of themes

that range from the surreal to the all too real. Dreams and fears; pressures and expectations;

nostalgia and present day realities; all of these are explored across 14 songs that underscore

Johannes’ reputation as the “Alan Bennett of hip hop”. Orbiting in the same rap galaxy as

transatlantic counterparts Serengeti and R.A.P. Ferreira, Johannes unloads his bars with a

seemingly casual delivery that disarms the listener and eases them into the depth of his

lyricism.

 

For the production, Johannes has reunited with Hartlepool native, Neocia, whose previous

collaborations feature a broad spectrum of artists, including Melanie Baker, Maius Mollis,

Benjamin Fitzgerald, John Dole and Spell Token. Neocia and Johanness’ first collaboration,

Ultra Deep, was released back in March and hinted at the chemistry that the duo would be

injecting into their full-length effort. Hailed by NARC Magazine as a masterpiece and

receiving support from BBC 6 Music, the track was the ideal introduction to their music and

the themes it examines.

 

Neocia’s approach on The House at Night is the perfect counterpoint for Johannes’ words,

using electronic soundscapes and handmade samples to bring even more atmosphere to the

album. From the blissful, syncopated tones of Auto-Reversing and the woozy

head-nod-inducing joy of Plan Your Dreams, to the muted burst of Tony Rossinger and the

melancholy texture of Two Thousand Ten, every beat is scene-setting perfection. Vocal work

from Clare Hargan on three tracks completes the picture, bringing the album to its

envisioned final form.

 

The House at Night is set for release on 11 October and will be released digitally, as well as a

limited vinyl run, which will be available in both black and splatter editions.

Vinyl pre-order

 

 

 

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faithfuljohannes.com

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