SOHN (Christopher Taylor) returned at the beginning of the year with his sophomore album, Rennen (4AD, 2017). After a nearly 3 year hiatus, the British signer/producer had (in ways) parted with his debut album Tremor (4AD, 2014) in favor of a dramatically honest sound and a refined lyricism. Rennen marked, as well, a changing in the tides for Taylor who has (in his musical absence) created a new life–a move from Austria stateside, a marriage, and a child (all of while scoring major production credits on tracks by Banks, Aquilo, and Kwabs). The question remains, as Taylor hits the road in 2017, whether or not this new life brings with it new stage presence and performance.

On his second of two nights in New York City, SOHN hit Manhattan’s Irving Plaza on Sunday night (bidding farewell to Brooklyn’s Warsaw Saturday night). As the lights dimmed, a calm set over the room while the audience settled in for the experience. His concerts have, in years past, been known for their heavily seductive lighting and Taylor’s minimalistic approach to performance (minimalistic not in energy or soul, but in space and style). The atmosphere shifts the second Taylor opens his mouth, transporting the audience to another dimension–one that’s full of life, love, and happiness. SOHN split the evening fairly between old hits like “Bloodflows” and “The Wheels” and new classics like “Conrad” and “Signals”. Since touring his debut album Taylor seems to have grown confident and charismatic on stage, with heartfelt banter between songs and unabashedly soulful singing between banter. It seems, that Taylor’s new life has brought new life to SOHN–together, they are an unbeatable duo live.

Be sure to check out SOHN at sohnmusic.com and on iTunes.