Snd (album)

{{Music ratings

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]

| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000079955}}</ref>

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000079955|pure_url=yes}} |title=_snd - Microstoria |last=Cooper |first=Sean |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

| rev2 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''

| rev2 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''

| rev2score = 8.3/10<ref name="pitchfork2024">{{cite web |last=Bromfield |first=Daniel |title=init ding + _snd by Microstoria Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/microstoria-init-ding-snd/ |website=pitchfork.com |date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=June 17, 2025}}</ref>

| rev2score = 8.3/10<ref name="pitchfork2024">{{cite web |last=Bromfield |first=Daniel |title=init ding + _snd by Microstoria Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/microstoria-init-ding-snd/ |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=June 17, 2025}}</ref>

}}

}}

==Composition==

==Composition==

''_snd'' was recorded in [[Berlin]] and [[Cologne]], [[Germany]].<ref name="thrilljockey">{{cite web |title=SND by Microstoria |url=https://thrilljockey.com/products/snd |website=thrilljockey.com |access-date= June 30, 2025}}</ref> For the album, Popp and Werner used techniques of classical improvisation to compose material for mixing, being recorded with high-end digital gear, advanced editing, and a mix of physical and digital instruments.<ref name="thrilljockey"/> Unlike Microstoria's previous album, ''init ding'', it explores contemporary digital software tools with a focus on minute musical details, done with sampled soundframes replayed in "slow motion."<ref name="thrilljockey"/> ''_snd'' ventures into unconventional territory, as it explores tone, texture, and abstract concepts.<ref name="thrilljockey"/>

''_snd'' was recorded in [[Berlin]] and [[Cologne]], [[Germany]].<ref name="thrilljockey">{{cite web |title=SND by Microstoria |url=https://thrilljockey.com/products/snd |website=[[Thrill Jockey]] |access-date= June 30, 2025}}</ref> For the album, Popp and Werner used techniques of classical improvisation to compose material for mixing, being recorded with high-end digital gear, advanced editing, and a mix of physical and digital instruments.<ref name="thrilljockey"/> Unlike Microstoria's previous album, ''init ding'', it explores contemporary digital software tools with a focus on minute musical details, done with sampled soundframes replayed in "slow motion."<ref name="thrilljockey"/> ''_snd'' ventures into unconventional territory, as it explores tone, texture, and abstract concepts.<ref name="thrilljockey"/>

==Critical reception==

==Critical reception==

''_snd'' received mixed to favorable reviews from music critics. Sean Cooper of [[AllMusic]] gave the album 3 out of 5 stars. Despite criticizing the listening experience as difficult and considering it less abstract and rapid than the duo's previous album, ''init ding'', he favors the subtle parallels being clearer as the album progresses in its composition.<ref name="allmusic"/>

''_snd'' received mixed to favorable reviews from music critics. Sean Cooper of [[AllMusic]] gave the album 3 out of 5 stars. Despite criticizing the listening experience as difficult and considering it less abstract and rapid than the duo's previous album, ''init ding'', he favors the subtle parallels being clearer as the album progresses in its composition.<ref name="allmusic"/>

In 2016, ''[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]]'' ranked ''_snd'' at number 44 on its list of "The 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time" in 2016.<ref name="pitchfork2016">{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9948-the-50-best-ambient-albums-of-all-time/ |publisher=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=June 8, 2025 |date=September 26, 2016}}</ref> With Marc Masters crediting it, "some of it is even hummable, if you give it enough time. But more importantly, snd is its own unique sonic world, an intoxicating journey made up of infinite single steps."<ref name="pitchfork2016"/>

In 2016, ''[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]]'' ranked ''_snd'' at number 44 on its list of "The 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time" in 2016.<ref name="pitchfork2016">{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9948-the-50-best-ambient-albums-of-all-time/ |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=June 8, 2025 |date=September 26, 2016}}</ref> With Marc Masters crediting it, "some of it is even hummable, if you give it enough time. But more importantly, snd is its own unique sonic world, an intoxicating journey made up of infinite single steps."<ref name="pitchfork2016"/>

In 2024, Microstoria re-released a remastered version of ''init ding'' and ''_snd'' on 2xLP and streaming services through Thrill Jockey, including [[Bandcamp]], to favorable reception. Daniel Bromfield of Pitchfork writes: "The interference that once lay on top of their tracks has become completely absorbed into the music; everything appears smudged, damaged or otherwise corroded, threaded between massive sub-bass subductions and high-end scrapes that test both listening habits and the limits of perception."<ref name="pitchfork2024"/>

In 2024, Microstoria re-released a remastered version of ''init ding'' and ''_snd'' on 2xLP and streaming services through Thrill Jockey, including [[Bandcamp]], to favorable reception. Daniel Bromfield of Pitchfork writes: "The interference that once lay on top of their tracks has become completely absorbed into the music; everything appears smudged, damaged or otherwise corroded, threaded between massive sub-bass subductions and high-end scrapes that test both listening habits and the limits of perception."<ref name="pitchfork2024"/>

==Track listing==

==Track listing==

{{Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = _snd

| headline = ''_snd'' track listing

| all_writing = Markus Popp and Jan St. Werner, excluding "Field", solely written by Werner

| all_writing = Markus Popp and Jan St. Werner, excluding "Feld 1", solely written by Werner

| title1 = Sleep People / Network Down

| title1 = Sleep People / Network Down

| length1 = 5:27

| length1 = 5:27

| title2 = Tall Zeit

| title2 = Teil Zeit

| length2 = 5:40

| length2 = 5:40

| title3 = Performal

| title3 = Per Formal

| length3 = 5:10

| length3 = 5:10

| title4 = Field

| title4 = Feld 1

| length4 = 4:47

| length4 = 4:47

| title5 = Endless Summer Namm

| title5 = Endless Summer NAMM

| length5 = 4:49

| length5 = 4:49

| title6 = Work Place

| title6 = Work Place