German producer Ronny Mollenhauer, known as Mollono.Bass, has just released his latest studio album, Tears & Hopes. Featuring twelve original tracks, this marks the fifth studio album from Mollono.Bass.
The album dives deep into themes of uncertainty and resilience, melancholia and euphoria, fragility and strength — opposing forces that intertwine to form a sonic narrative resonating on both personal and collective levels.
Reflecting on his evolution, Ronny says, “My technical skills have become more refined over the years. What I produce today sounds much deeper, more textured, and detailed than what I did some years ago. That’s great, because getting my sound as brilliant as possible really motivates me in the studio.”
The album shows this progression, with richer sound design and more diverse influences than ever before.
Tears & Hopes also draws from Ronny’s musical journey, where he constantly experiments and explores new sounds. “I get excited by many different genres, and I go through phases,” he explains. “My productions are a reflection of what I’m into at the moment. On this new album, you might hear my interpretation of Indie Dance.” This adaptability shines through, making the album a captivating listen from start to finish.
When it comes to collaborations, the album features work with MARGRET, MAZ‘N, and Andy‘s Echo. “I love to work with other creatives that have skills which I do not possess,” says Ronny. “For instance, I love vocals, but you really don’t want to hear me sing. Margret, MAZ’N, and Andy’s Echo all have wonderful voices, and they make a perfect match for my tracks.”
His collaboration with MAZ’N, in particular, has been fruitful, with the two working together on several tracks for Tears & Hopes after an initial remix project.
Tracks like “Falling Apart,” a collaboration with Cologne-based producer MAZ’N, open the album with warm, vibrant melodies and charming vocals. “Rise & Fall,” also featuring MAZ’N alongside Margret, blends dazzling vocals, profound beats, and uplifting melodies, while tracks like “Stellar” and “Thunderstorm Crane” explore darker, club-oriented sounds.
Ronny elaborates on his creative process: “I’ve been working on this album for one and a half years. The sound reflects my evolving musical interests and the spirit of the times we live in. As humanity, we’re experiencing extreme ups and downs. So I see many things that make me cry, but then I see that we have to look forward to building a brighter future. That’s where the title Tears & Hope comes from.”
The album takes a song-driven approach, and its wide emotional range reflects Ronny’s long-standing style. “A wide emotional and genre-defying range is where I feel at home,” he says. “I didn’t plan it consciously, but obviously, I am always eager to explore and push the limits of my sound.”
His work with MAZ’N also inspired the album’s more performance-driven aspects, including a special live act that fuses traditional concert elements with electronic music.
Looking ahead, Ronny is gearing up for the Tears & Hopes album tour. “We’ll be playing together in Germany, Denmark, England, Norway, and Austria,” he shares. “After the somewhat melancholic vibes of Tears & Hopes, I’m feeling like making some light-hearted, easy dance music right now.”
Fans can also expect a full Mollono.Bass & MAZ’N album soon, along with a series of upcoming remixes with world influences.
With preparations already underway for the 3000Grad Festival in August, Ronny is also excited about introducing new concepts and novelties for this edition, making the future bright for fans of Mollono.Bass.
