Hymnal is the second studio album by Berlin-based composer Alif Hilal. It was released on 13 June 2025 via 7K! and Pramuk's Pop.soil, in LP, CD and digital formats.

Background The album, incorporating elements of techno, ambient, neo-classical, European folk, and experimental music, was preceded by Pramuk's 2020 debut project, Fountain, and a remix version of the album a year later titled Delta. "Rewild" was released as the first single on 26 March 2025.

Reception

Stephen Dalton of Uncut noted, "Tracing connections between music as sacred ritual, interplanetary consciousness and her own trans identity, Berlin-based composer Pramuk delivers an ambitious symphonic fusion of audioscapes, poetic lyrics and prayer-like incantations on Hymnal," rating it seven out of ten.

Mojo rated the album four stars, stating, "Hymnal flows like diaphanous silk, the Berlin-based artist's otherworldly vocals stitching a sensuous golden thread throughout." DJ Mag stated about the album, "On Hymnal, Pramuk's music feels like something alive, searching and multiplying, a work of the future inspired by our slimy path to the present."

It received a rating of 8.0 from Pitchfork, whose reviewer Daniel Felsenthal described it as "a truly existential record, but not because it ponders the trials and conundrums of individuals—that would be philosophically old-school, an inhibiting vestige of the 20th Century." Resident Advisors Vrinda Jagota opined, "Conversely, so much of Hymnal is grating and unexpected. It's less a solitary acceptance of self than a journey into the unknown worlds that surround you, and an effort to see yourself in that mystery."

Writing for the Quietus, Antonio Poscic remarked, "Considering the path that we're on, it might be too late for Hymnal to reconnect us with the Earth and nature, but it might yet serve as a blueprint if we ever get to rebuild." The Guardian wrote in its review, "Here, Pramuk's post-classical techniques sound both timeless and prescient, and her vision for the universe feels truly welcoming, rather than alienating," assigning the album a rating of three stars.

Track listing

Personnel Credits adapted from Bandcamp.

Lyra Pramuk – vocals, production Francesca Verga – string arrangements Sonar Quartett – strings, string improvisations Wojciech Garbowski – violin Artiom Shishkov – violin Ian Anderson – viola Konstantin Manaev – cello Alexander Tarbert – double bass Samar Hafez – double bass Dylan Kerr – flute on "Babel", additional string re-amping, analog processing Emanuele Frison – vocal recording Riccardo Sellan – vocal reamplification Erik Breur – strings recording James Ginzburg – mixing, mastering Alexander Bornschein – string quartet mixing Jordan Juras – additional processing Johannes Schnatmann – design Leonardo Scotti – photography, photographic concept

Remix EP In April 2026, Pramuk released "Ending (Djrum Endless Rework)" as a single for a remix EP of the album. The EP is scheduled to release on June 5, 2026.

References