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| The Words at Play | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 31 July 2026 | |||
| Length | 15:15 | |||
| Label | DIEgital Records | |||
| Producer | Michael J. Keplinger | |||
| Michael J. Keplinger chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Words at Play | ||||
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The Words at Play is an extended play by Austrian musician and filmmaker Michael J. Keplinger, released on 31 July 2026. The release was accompanied by the short film The Words At Play: Visual EP, consisting of music videos for all tracks.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]The EP originated from an idea that Keplinger developed during a flight to London.[4] What initially began as a single song gradually evolved into a larger musical concept revolving around themes such as language, memory, transience, and emotional inertia.[5][6] Sonically, the EP moves between atmospheric art rock, singer-songwriter influences, and cinematic soundscapes.[7][1] Keplinger sees The Words At Play as the first half of a larger narrative.[5]
Keplinger wrote and produced all five tracks on the EP independently, performing all vocal and instrumental parts.[4] The mastering was completed at Abbey Road Studios.[1][5][6]
The Words at Play: Visual EP
[edit]The music EP was accompanied by The Words at Play: Visual EP. The 15-minute short film consists of five music videos and was released on YouTube in individual chapters.[5] Michael J. Keplinger was responsible for direction, production, screenplay, and editing. Simona Ascher served as producer, Niklas Strahammer as director of photography, and Sophie Schaller as gaffer.[8] The team had previously worked on Keplinger’s short film IRIS.
Critical reception
[edit]The EP received critical acclaim from music critics:
In OÖ Nachrichten, Reinhold Gruber described The Words at Play as an “impressive piece of music”. Keplinger places “his entire emotional world at the center of a musical expression that moves the listener across four songs (and a reprise of the title track) with its intensity. Here, a sonic magician acts with great heart, passion, dedication, and skill.” Keplinger is “not a man of coincidences, but a perfectionist.”[6]
Indienoxzine wrote that Keplinger constructs “a unified aesthetic language where sound and image reinforce each other’s pacing and emotional tone. This introduces a structural duality. On one level, the project operates within traditions of introspective art-rock songwriting; on another, it reflects a cinematic mode of composition where meaning emerges through sequence, texture and visual continuity.”[9]
CityGuide Rhein Neckar described the EP as an “impressive artistic unit.” The music draws its strength from “its sense of calm and its feel for dynamics. Rather than relying on catchy choruses or overproduced arrangements, Keplinger develops his pieces with patience.” The work was also highly praised thematically: it is “a work about change, vulnerability, and coming to terms with memories. These themes are never expressed in an overt or heavy-handed way. Instead, Keplinger conveys them through moods, musical developments, and a restrained, contemplative narrative style. This creates an emotional intimacy without becoming overly sentimental.” The Visual EP was also highly praised.[7]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Michael J. Keplinger.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Words at Play" | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Rêverie to Zoë" | 2:02 |
| 3. | "Ember" | 4:48 |
| 4. | "S8/Underground" | 4:08 |
| 5. | "The Words at Play Reprise" | 0:47 |
| Total length: | 15:15 | |
Personnel
[edit]- Michael J. Keplinger – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion, production, mixing
- Alex Wharton – mastering
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Michael Stecher (2026-06-27). "Michael J. Keplinger – neue Single „Ember" und neue EP – „The Words At Play" | X-ACT Music Magazine" (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Ember (Single) · Volume.at". Volume.at (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "The Words At Play (Single) · Volume.at". Volume.at (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 "The Words At Play (EP) · Volume.at". Volume.at (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 3 4 CK (2026-07-25). "Michael J. Keplinger über Kunst, Klang und". CityGuide (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 3 Oberösterreichische Nachrichten. "Kopfhörer #191: Ein Linzer und seine Leidenschaft". Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 CK (2026-07-31). "Michael J. Keplinger - Ember". CityGuide (in German). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Michael J. Keplinger. "The Words At Play: Visual EP". MJK. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Raven (2026-05-22). "On This Track #14: Michael J. Keplinger – "The Words At Play"". Retrieved 2026-08-02.