Before a single note plays, the cover of "9 Hours" sets the scene: a lone candle in a golden holder, its smoke curling up and filling the frame. The Swiss band Alois released the song on October 16, 2026 as the second single from Who Calms You Down?, the album due on March 5, 2027, and it runs 3:20.
A New Voice in the Lineup
Alois have been around since 2017, with bandleader Martin Schenker at the center. For this new chapter, the band added vocalist Aurélia Giachino. Giachino and Schenker wrote "9 Hours" together, and the credits list Giachino on vocals and percussion, while Schenker covers guitar, synthesizer, vocals, programming, drums and bass. "Like A Mountain," released in early September, was the first song the public heard from this lineup, and on the album it follows directly after "9 Hours" as track three.
Bringing in a new voice is a big step for any band, especially four albums in. "9 Hours" is only the second chance listeners have had to hear how the new pairing works.
Psychedelia Meets Funk
German music site Spielemagazin describes "9 Hours" as an arc between 1960s psychedelic sound and guitar-driven funk grooves, with a relaxed, confident feel. That lines up with how the band has long been described. When Alois played Eurosonic Noorderslag in 2021, the festival called them "Swiss synth-pop mavericks" whose songs had "a heavy predilection for the dance floor," and noted that the members come from jazz.
Apple Music files the album under Pop. "9 Hours" sits second on the eight-track album, right after the opener "Control."
Four Albums In
Alois released Mints in 2017, Azul in 2020 and Night Vision in 2023, all on Red Brick Records. Who Calms You Down? moves the band to Radicalis Music, a label from Basel, with distribution through The Orchard. The new record has eight tracks and closes with "It's Never Too Late." According to Spielemagazin, the band produced and recorded the new songs themselves with Schenker, at Garage Studio in Olten and at a studio called Ö in Baden.
Their 2021 Eurosonic Noorderslag showcase took place before the current lineup took shape. We are curious to hear how the new songs, with Giachino up front, will work on a stage.
Final Thoughts
"9 Hours" gives a second look at a band in transition, with a new voice up front and a label change behind the scenes. With the full album still months away, it is a good moment to get to know this version of Alois. Does "9 Hours" lean more toward the 1960s psychedelia or the guitar funk for you? Tell us in the comments.
A Tip for Independent Artists
When Alois added a new vocalist, the band explained the change clearly in its bio and press materials, so listeners knew what to expect. If your lineup changes, say so openly and update every profile at once. When the music is ready, DistroKid (affiliate link) can send your releases to Spotify, Apple Music and other major services, with 7% off your membership through that link.
